Sen. Richard J. Durbin Holds a Hearing On Human Rights Violator Accountability

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Sen. Richard J. Durbin Holds a Hearing On Human Rights Violator Accountability

SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE LAW HOLDS A HEARING ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATOR ACCOUNTABILITY

OCTOBER 6, 2009

SPEAKERS: SEN. RICHARD J. DURBIN, D-ILL. CHAIRMAN SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD, D-WIS. SEN. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, D-MD. SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, D-R.I. SEN. ARLEN SPECTER, D-PA. SEN. PATRICK J. LEAHY, D-VT. EX OFFICIO

SEN. TOM COBURN, R-OKLA. RANKING MEMBER SEN. JON KYL, R-ARIZ. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, R-S.C. SEN. JOHN CORNYN, R-TEXAS SEN. JEFF SESSIONS, R-ALA. EX OFFICIO

WITNESSES: LANNY BREUER, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, CRIMINAL DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

JOHN MORTON, ASSISTANT HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

DAVID DONAHUE, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, VISA SERVICES, BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE

ARTHUR CUMMINGS II, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY BRANCH, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS

[*] DURBIN: Good morning, everybody. And welcome to this hearing of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

This hearing will come to order.

And we are going to consider today no safe haven -- accountability for human rights violators in the United States, part two.

Two years ago this subcommittee held a first ever congressional hearing on the enforcement of human rights laws in the United States. At the hearing we learned that the government was investigating over a thousand suspected human rights violators from almost 90 countries who had found safe haven in our country. Today we'll examine what we've done since that hearing and what more we can do.

For decades the United States has led the fight for human rights around the world. When human rights violators are able to live freely in our country, America's credibility is threatened. Throughout our history America has provided sanctuary to victims. Sadly, some refugees arrive from distance shores to begin a new life, only to encounter those who tortured them or killed their loved ones.

Two years ago this subcommittee heard compelling testimony, which I still remember to this day, from Dr. Juan Romagoza. He endured a 22-day ordeal of torture at the hands of the National Guard in El Salvador. If you may remember, those of you that followed it -- he has a clinic here in town where he helps poor people.

Dr. Romagoza sought asylum in our country and received it, but later learned that the two generals that were responsible for his torture had also fled to the United States. While he had his clinic helping poor people, his hands had been deformed and mangled by his torturers so he could no longer be a surgeon. And these two generals responsible for his imprisonment were drinking Cuban coffee and buying lottery tickets in Miami.

The Human Rights Subcommittee has worked to en...

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