[Senate Report 110-194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 416
110th Congress Report
SENATE
1st Session 110-194
======================================================================
TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF REAUTHORIZATION
ACT OF 2007
_______
October 9, 2007.--Ordered to be printed
Filed under the authority of the order of the Senate of October 4, 2007
_______
Mr. Biden, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1678]
The Committee on Foreign Relations, having had under
consideration H.R. 1678, a bill to amend the Torture Victims
Relief Act of 1998, to authorize appropriations to provide
assistance for domestic and foreign programs and centers for
the treatment of victims of torture, and for other purposes,
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Purpose..........................................................1
II. Legislative History and Committee Action.........................1
III. Discussion.......................................................2
IV. Cost Estimate....................................................2
V. Evaluation of Regulatory Impact..................................4
VI. Changes in Existing Law..........................................4
VII. Appendix.........................................................7
I. PURPOSE
This legislation would authorize appropriations for
domestic and foreign programs and centers to provide treatment
and assistance to victims of torture.
II. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE ACTION
H.R. 1678 was introduced by Representative Smith of New
Jersey on March 26, 2007. It was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. On
March 27, the Committee on Foreign Affairs ordered it to be
reported favorably by voice vote, without amendment. On April
20, H.R. 1678 was reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs
and discharged from the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The
House approved the legislation on April 25, by a vote of 418-7
on a motion to suspend the rules.
H.R. 1678 was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations. The committee ordered it to be reported
favorably, by voice vote and without amendment, on September
11, 2007.
III. DISCUSSION
According to Amnesty International, over 150 countries
worldwide engage in torture. Estimates indicate that there may
be up to 100 million torture victims worldwide, with
approximately 400,000-500,000 foreign victims residing in the
United States. In 1998, Congress passed the Torture Victims
Relief Act (P.L. 105-320) to authorize appropriations for
domestic and foreign programs and centers to provide treatment
and assistance to victims of torture. H.R. 1678 is a re-
authorization of the 1998 legislation, providing a total of $49
million for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to support such
programs through the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the
Department of Health and Human Services ($25 million), the
Victims' Torture Fund of the U.S. Agency for International
Development ($12 million), and the United Nations Voluntary
Fund for Victims of Torture ($12 million).
Under the Torture Victims Relief Act, services funded
include treating physical and psychological effects of torture,
providing social and legal services, and training health care
providers. In 2006, the Victims' Torture Fund of the U.S.
Agency for International Development supported programs in 28
countries, and the Fund has assisted 63,200 since 1998. Also in
2006, the United Nations Fund for Victims of Torture assisted
32,000 victims of torture through 175 projects in 64 countries.
Within the United States, programs administered by the Office
of Refugee Resettlement provided direct services to 3,220
victims of torture through 22 programs during the first six
months of its current grant period. Additional details about
the programs funded under this Act may be found in letters from
executive branch agencies, set forth in the appendix to this
report.
With the 1998 authorization of the Torture Victims Relief
Act, Congress demonstrated its commitment to assist torture
victims--many of whom are vital voices in their communities:
journalists, human rights defenders, democracy advocates and
religious leaders. The committee believes that providing social
and legal services to victims of torture is a priority, and
that reauthorization of these programs at the levels contained
in H.R. 1678 is appropriate.
IV. COST ESTIMATE
In accordance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(a) of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee provides this
estimate of the costs of this legislation prepared by the
Congressional Budget Office.
United States Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, September 19, 2007.
Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1678, the Torture
Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sunita
D'Monte.
Sincerely,
Peter R. Orszag.
------
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
September 19, 2007.
H.R. 1678 would authorize the appropriation of $49 million
in both 2008 and 2009 for foreign and domestic programs to
assist victims of torture. CBO estimates that implementing the
act would cost $22 million in 2008 and $97 million over the
2008-12 period, assuming that the authorized amounts are
appropriated and that outlays will follow historical spending
patterns for those programs.
Enacting H.R. 1678 would not affect direct spending or
revenues. H.R. 1678 contains no intergovernmental or private-
sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 1678 is shown in the
following table. The costs of this legislation fall within
budget functions 150 (international affairs) and 550 (health).
Section 2 would authorize the appropriation of $25 million
a year in 2008 and 2009 for the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) for domestic treatment of victims of torture.
Under current law, HHS makes grants to programs in the United
States that provide psychological and physical rehabilitation,
social services, and legal services to victims of torture.
Section 3 would authorize the appropriation of $12 million in
2008 and $12 million in 2009 for foreign treatment centers for
victims of torture. Finally, section 4 would authorize the
appropriation of $12 million in 2008 and $12 million in 2009
for grants to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of
Torture.
On April 2, 2007, CBO transmitted an estimate for H.R. 1678
as ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
on March 27, 2007. The two versions of the legislation are
similar and their estimated costs are identical.The CBO staff
contact for this estimate is Sunita D'Monte. This estimate was
approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant Director for Budget
Analysis.
ESTIMATED BUDGETARY IMPACT OF H.R. 1678
By Fiscal Year, in Millions of Dollars
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Domestic Treatment Centers
Authorization Level.................................... 25 25 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays...................................... 8 18 15 7 2
Foreign Treatment Centers
Authorization Level.................................... 12 12 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays...................................... 2 8 8 3 2
Contribution to United Nations' Fund
Authorization Level.................................... 12 12 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays...................................... 12 12 0 0 0
Total Changes
Authorization Level.................................... 49 49 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays...................................... 22 38 23 10 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. EVALUATION OF REGULATORY IMPACT
Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(b) of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, the committee has determined that there is
no regulatory impact as a result of this legislation.
VI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
In compliance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 12 of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill,
as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be
omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in
italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in
roman).
Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998
* * * * * * *
SEC. 4. FOREIGN TREATMENT CENTERS.
(a) Amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.--Part
I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end of chapter 1 the
following new section: * * *
(b) Funding.--(1) Authorization of appropriations.--[Of the
amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2006 and
2007 pursuant to chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, there are authorized to be appropriated to the
President to carry out section 130 of such Act $12,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006 and $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.] Of the
amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2008 and
2009 pursuant to chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, there are authorized to be appropriated to the
President to carry out section 130 of such Act $12,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
(2) Availability of funds.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to this subsection shall remain available
until expended.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect October 1, 1998.
SEC. 5. DOMESTIC TREATMENT CENTERS.
(a) Assistance for Treatment of Torture Victims.--The
Secretary of Health and Human Services may provide grants to
programs in the United States to cover the cost of the
following services:
(1) Services for the rehabilitation of victims of
torture, including treatment of the physical and
psychological effects of torture.
(2) Social and legal services for victims of torture.
(3) Research and training for health care providers
outside of treatment centers, or programs for the
purpose of enabling such providers to provide the
services described in paragraph (1).
(b) Funding.--
[(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amounts
authorized to be appropriated for the Department of
Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2006 and
2007, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out subsection (a) $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2006 and 2007.]
(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amounts
authorized to be appropriated for the Department of
Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2008 and
2009, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out subsection (a) $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2008 and 2009.
APPENDIX
----------
U.S. Department of State,
Washington, DC, July 19, 2007.
Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of June 22 regarding
U.S. support to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of
Torture.
Enclosed are the responses to the questions raised in your letter.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is working with us
to provide further clarification on some of the decision-making
processes, as well as statistical information, which we will provide to
you when we receive them.
We hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to
contact us if we can be of further assistance on this or any other
matter.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey T. Bergner,
Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
______
united nations voluntary fund for victims of torture (unvf)
Question. How many projects are currently supported globally by the
UNVF? What proportion of funding is provided to entities that offer
direct services to torture victims versus those that support research
and provide training to health care providers?
Answer.
The UNVF is supporting 165 projects globally for calendar
year 2007.
The UNVF classifies its projects as medical, psychological,
psychiatric, social, legal, financial, training, and other.
Grants are not provided for research.
For 2007, the Board approved funding for 165 projects. The
majority of organizations received more than one form of
assistance. The UNVF focuses on one or more of the following
forms of assistance: medical (111 projects), psychological
(137), psychiatric (2), social (99), legal (89), financial
(31), training (0), and other (10).
Question. Does the UNVF currently support any projects within the
United States? If so, where are the projects located and how many
individuals do they serve?
Answer. Yes, the UNVF supports 27 projects in the United States.
The following information was obtained from the websites of the
organizations supported by the UNVF.
[Note: Unless otherwise stated, numbers of individuals treated were
not publicly available.]
Center for Multicultural Human Services: Falls Church, VA.--
The program serves over 200 survivors of torture per year.
Doctors of the World: New York, NY.--The organization has
provided evaluative services to 367 survivors of torture and
other human rights violations seeking asylum in the United
States.
TASSC--Helping Hands: Washington, DC.
TASSC International Communities: Washington, DC.
Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services
(Access): Dearborn, MI.
El Rescate Legal Services: Los Angeles, CA.
Gulf Coast Community Care: Clearwater, FL.
Human Rights Initiative of North Texas: Dallas, Texas
International Institute of Boston: Boston, MA.
Greater Boston Legal Services: Boston, MA.
Khmer Health Advocates: West Hartford, CT.--Khmer Health
Advocates began a torture treatment program in 1984 that has
treated more than 1,500 survivors and their families.
Legal Aid Foundation: Los Angeles, CA.
Lowell Community Health Center: Lowell, MA.
Lutheran Children and Family Services: Philadelphia, PA.--
Offered services to 400 torture victims from 45 countries in
2006.
Center for Victims of Torture: Minneapolis, MN.
Center for Survivors of Torture: Dallas, TX.
Survivors of Torture, International: San Diego, CA.--
Survivors of Torture has helped 650 torture victims from 55
countries since 1997.
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights: Minneapolis, MN.
Physicians for Human Rights: Cambridge, MA.
Program for Torture Victims: Los Angeles, CA.
Provident Counseling: St. Louis, MO.
Advocates for Survivors of Trauma and Torture: Baltimore,
MD.
Bellevue Association: Bellevue, WA.
Utah Health and Human Rights Project: Salt Lake City, UT.
Center for Justice and Accountability: San Francisco, CA.
Rocky Mountain Survivors Center: Denver, CO.
Torture Treatment Center: Portland, OR.--Torture Treatment
Center aided 900 torture victims in 2005.
Question. Approximately how many individuals are served globally
through current UNVF programs, in total, and disaggregated regionally?
Answer. Exact figures are not available at this time, however, the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates the total
number of individuals assisted by the UNVF to be 32,000 in the calendar
year 2006. There will be a better estimate available when the United
Nations General Assembly report is prepared at the end of July.
Question. What is the process for deciding to fund a project
through the UNVF, or deciding to continue funding for a project? Are
funding decisions made by the Secretary General, or by the UNVF's Board
of Trustees?
Answer. During its annual session, the Board of Trustees reviews
the narrative and, if applicable, financial reports on the use of
previous grants, adopts recommendations on applications for new grants,
considers presentations made by project leaders; meets with donors,
consults with the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Committee
against Torture, and then adopts other relevant recommendations for the
Secretary-General on the activities of the UNVF. The High Commissioner
for Human Rights, on behalf of the Secretary-General, approves the
recommendations of the Board each spring.
Question. Is funding for projects awarded based on a competitive
process? If not, what process is used to select the recipients?
Answer. Yes, grants are awarded in a competitive fashion to
organizations that provide rehabilitation services to victims of
torture. After vetting, the UNVF is generally able to accommodate most
funding requests. However, given budget constraints, the UNVF often
funds only 10-20 percent of the funding request. Additionally, grant
recipients are required to secure at least two-thirds of their funding
from other sources.
Question. Of the 2006 and 2007 recipients of funding, how many
entities received funding from UNVF in prior years? Which were they?
Answer. Of the 165 grant recipients for 2007, 142 (about 86
percent) had received funding from the UNVF in 2006.
Please refer to enclosed list of 2007 recipients. Those who have
also received grants in 2006 are noted with an asterisk.
Question. What oversight mechanisms exist in the U.N. Secretariat
to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs supported by the UNVF?
What is the U.N. Secretariat's process for conducting such oversight?
Answer. Grantees are required to submit financial and programmatic
reports each year (by April 1) in order to report on the use of the
funds and the results obtained.
In accordance with the arrangements adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly when the UNVF was established, the Secretary-General
reports annually to the United Nations General Assembly and to the
Human Rights Council on the activities of the UNVF and its Board of
Trustees.
Besides reviewing financial and programmatic reports, Board
members, Secretariat staff, and other staff members of various. U.N.-
affiliated agencies make onsite visits to grantee organizations to
verify implementation and monitor the programs' effectiveness.
______
list of organizations receiving grants, by region (25th and 26th
sessions)
19 March 2007 version
[Note. The OHCHR has not compiled a complete list of the
organizations funded by the 25th and 26th sessions. There will be a
better assessment when the annual report is prepared for the General
Assembly at the end of July 2007.]
AFRICA
[18 projects]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of assistance
No. Name of organization Country provided
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................... Trauma Centre Cameroun. Cameroon............... Medical, psychological,
social and financial.
2.................................... Center for Cameroon............... Medical, psychological,
Rehabilitaion and social and financial.
Abolition of Torture
(CART).
3.................................... The Center for Victims D.R. Congo............. Medical and
of Torture CVT-DRC. psychological.
4.................................... Africa Middle East Egypt.................. Psychological, social
Refugee Assistance and legal.
(AMERA).
5.................................... El Nadim Center for the Egypt.................. Medical, psychological,
management and social, legal and
rehabilitation of financial.
victims of violence.
6.................................... HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya.................. Psychological, social
Kenya. and other.
7.................................... IMLU Independent Medico- Kenya.................. Medical and
Legal Unit (IMLU)/ psychological.
Nairobi, Kenya.
8.................................... Prisoners Assistance Liberia................ Medical, psychological
Program, Inc.. and other.
9.................................... Center for Victims of Liberia/Sierra Leone... Psychological, social
Torture/West Africa and other.
(Liberia).
10................................... Association Medicale de Morocco................ Medical and
Rehabilitation de psychological.
Victimes de la Torture
(AMRVT).
11................................... W.A.C.O.L.--Women Aid Nigeria................ Psychological, social,
Collective. legal and financial.
12................................... Kanyarwanda A.S.B.L.... Rwanda................. Medical, psychological
and social.
13................................... Vivre/Caprec........... Senegal................ Medical, social and
legal.
14................................... Community Association Sierra Leone........... Psychological.
for Psychosocial
Services (CAPS).
15................................... C.S.V.R.--Centre for South Africa........... Psychological.
the Study of Violence
Reconciliation.
16................................... The Trauma Centre for South Africa........... Medical, psychological,
the Survivors of social and legal.
Violence and Torture.
17................................... A.C.T.V.--African Uganda................. Medical, psychological,
Center for Treatment social, legal and
and Rehabilitation of financial.
Torture Victims.
18................................... Refugee Law Project.... Uganda................. Psychological, social
and legal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASIA
[20 projects]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of assistance
No. Name of organization Country provided
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................... Naogaon Human Rights Bangladesh............. Medical, psychological,
Association. social, legal and
financial.
2.................................... Bangladesh Bangladesh............. Medical, psychological,
Rehabilitation Centre legal and financial.
for Trauma Victims.
3.................................... Top India Trust........ India.................. Medical, psychological
and social.
4.................................... People's Watch Tamil India.................. Medical and legal.
Nadu.
5.................................... Centre for Care of India.................. Medical, psychological,
Victims of Torture. social and legal.
6.................................... Society for Social India.................. Medical, psychological
Research, Art and and social.
Culture.
7.................................... International Catholic Indonesia.............. Medical, psychological
Migration Commission. and social.
8.................................... Physicians for Human Israel................. Medical, psychological
Rights. and legal.
9.................................... Public Committee Israel................. Legal assistance.
Against Torture in
Israel.
10................................... The Korean Korea (Republic of).... Medical, psychological,
Rehabilitation Centre legal and financial.
for Torture Victims
and Families.
11................................... Khiam Rehabilitation Lebanon................ Medical, psychological
Centre for Victims of and social.
Torture.
12................................... Forum for the Nepal.................. Medical, psychological,
Protection of People's social and legal.
Rights (PPR).
13................................... Treatment and Occupied Palestinian Medical, psychological
Rehabilitation Centre Territories. and social.
for Victims of Torture.
14................................... Sach-Struggle for Pakistan............... Medical, psychological,
Change (SACH). social, legal,
financial and other.
15................................... Medical Action Group, Philippines............ Medical, psychological,
Inc. (MAG). social, financial and
other.
16................................... Asian Federation Philippines............ Psychological.
Against Involuntary
Disappearances.
17................................... Task Force Detainees of Philippines............ Legal.
the Philippines.
18................................... BALAY Rehabilitation Philippines............ Medical, psychological,
Center, Inc.. social, legal and
financial.
19................................... League of Women Lawyers Tajikistan............. Medical, psychological
and legal.
20................................... Avesto................. Tajikistan............. Medical, psychological,
social, legal and
financial.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN
[22 projects]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of assistance
No. Name of organization Country provided
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................... E.A.T.I.P.--Equipo Argentina.............. Medical, psychological,
Argentino de Trabajo e social and legal.
Investigacion
Psicosocial.
2.................................... Asociacion Abuelas de Argentina.............. Psychological.
Plaza de Mayo.
3.................................... Grupo Tortura Nunca Brazil................. Medical, psychological,
Mais/Rio de Janeiro social and legal.
(Group Torture Never
More/RJ).
4.................................... A.C.A.T.--Acao dos Brazil................. Medical, psychological,
Cristaos para a social and legal.
abolicao da tortura.
5.................................... I.T.E.I.--Instituto de Bolivia................ Medical, psychological,
Terapia e social and legal.
Investigacion sobre
las Secuelas de la
Tortura y la Violencia
Estatal.
6.................................... Corporacion de Chile.................. Medical, psychological
Promocion y Defensa de and legal.
los Derechos del
Pueblo (CODEPU).
7.................................... F.A.S.I.C.--Fundacion Chile.................. Medical, psychological,
de Ayuda Social de las social, legal and
Iglesias Cristianas. financial.
8.................................... C.I.N.T.R.A.S.--Centro Chile.................. Medical, psychological
de Salud Mental y and social.
Derechos Humanos.
9.................................... Fondazione Terre des Colombia............... Medical, psychological
hommes-Italia. and social
10................................... HIAS................... Ecuador/USA............ Psychological and
social.
11................................... Asociacion para la Guatemala.............. Medical, psychological,
Salud y el Desarrollo social, financial.
Integral de
Momostenaugo.
12................................... U.F.A.D.E.S.C.H.--Union Haiti.................. Medical and legal.
des Formateurs--
Animateurs du Sud en
Education Civique et
le respect des Droits
Humains.
13................................... Centro de Estudios Mexico................. Medical, psychological,
Fronterizos y de social and legal.
Promocion de los
Derechos Humanos.
14................................... L.I.M.E.D.D.H.--Liga Mexico................. Legal, medical,
Mexicana Para la psychological and
Defensa de los Derech. financial.
15................................... C.C.T.I.--Colectivo Mexico................. Medical and
contra la Tortura la psychological.
Impunidad, A.C..
16................................... COMISEDH--Comision de Peru................... Medical, psychological,
Derechos Humanos. social, legal, and
financial.
17................................... F.E.D.E.P.A.Z.--Fundaci Peru................... Medical, psychological,
on Ecumenica para el social and legal.
Desarrollo y la Paz.
18................................... Fundacion Richmond Peru................... Training.
Fellowship del Peru.
19................................... C.A.P.S.--Centro de Peru................... Social and
Atencion Psicosocial. psychological.
20................................... C.D.H.E.S.--Comision de El Salvador............ Medical and
Derechos Humanos de El psychological.
Salvador.
21................................... S.E.R.S.O.C.--Servicio Uruguay................ Medical, psychological
de Rehabilitacion and social.
Social.
22................................... Red de Apoyo por la Venezuuela............. Medical, psychological,
Justicia y la Paz. social and legal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EASTERN EUROPE
[22 projects]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of assistance
No. Name of organization Country provided
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................... Fund Against Violation Armenia................ Medical, psychological,
of Law. social and legal.
2.................................... Centre for Torture Bosnia and Herzegovina. Medical, psychological
Victims. and social.
3.................................... Centre for Torture Bosnia and Herzegovina, Medical, psychological
Victims--International Serbia and Montenegro. and social.
Aid Network--Medica
Zenica.
4.................................... Association Vive Zene.. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Medical, psychological
and social.
5.................................... Assistance Centre for Bulgaria............... Medical, psychological,
Torture Survivors. social and legal.
6.................................... International Croatia................ Medical, legal and
Rehabilitation Centre financial.
for Torture Victims.
7.................................... Society of Citizens Czech Republic......... Psychological and
Assisting Migrants legal.
(SOZE).
8.................................... Georgian Centre for Georgia................ Medical, psychological,
Psychosocial and social and legal.
Medical Rehabilitation
of Torture Victims.
9.................................... Empathy................ Georgia................ Medical, psychological
and social.
10................................... Cordelia Foundation.... Hungary................ Medical and
pyschological.
11................................... ERRC--European Roma Hungary................ Legal.
Rights Centre.
12................................... Helsinki Committee for Macedonia (Former Legal.
Human Rights Macedonia. Yugoslavian Republic
of).
13................................... Medical Rehabilitation Moldova (Republic of).. Medical, psychological,
Centre for Torture social and legal.
Victims ``Memoria''.
14................................... Centre for Victims of Poland................. Medical, psychological
Political Persecutions. and legal.
15................................... ICAR Foundation........ Romania................ Medical, psychological,
social and legal.
16................................... Romanian Independent Romania................ Legal.
Society of Human
Rights (SIRDO).
17................................... Stichting Russian Russian Federation..... Legal.
Justice Initiative.
18................................... Nizhniy Novgorod Non- Russian Federation..... Medical, psychological,
Governmental social and legal.
Organization Committee
Against Torture.
19................................... Public Verdict Russian Federation..... Psychological, social,
Foundation. legal and other.
20................................... Human Rights Public Russian Federation/ Medical, psychological,
Organization (NISO). Chechen Republic. social and legal.
21................................... International Aid Serbia and Montenegro.. Medical, psychological,
Network (IAN)/Belgrade. social, legal,
financial and other.
22................................... Committee for Human Serbia................. Psychological and
Rights, Leskovac. legal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WESTERN EUROPEAN AND OTHERS GROUP
[83 projects]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of assistance
No. Name of organization Country provided
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................... Association for Australia.............. Psychological and
Services to Torture social.
and Trauma Survivors.
2.................................... The Treatment and Australia.............. Medical, psychological,
Rehabilitation Unit social and financial.
for Survivors of
Torture and Trauma.
3.................................... Centre for Advocacy Australia.............. Legal.
Support and Education
for Refugees (CASE for
Refugees).
4.................................... Verein ZEBRA........... Austria................ Medical, psychological,
social and legal.
5.................................... OMEGA Health Care Austria................ Medical, psychological
Centre. and social.
6.................................... HEMAYAT................ Austria................ Medical and
psychological.
7.................................... Centre medico-psycho- Belgium................ Medical, psychological,
social pour refugies social, legal,
et victimes de torture financial and other.
(EXIL).
8.................................... Medecins sans Belgium................ Psychological and
Frontieres--Les social.
projets belges.
(MPORE).
9.................................... O.C.I.S.O.--Ottawa Canada................. Psychological.
Community Immigrant
Services Organization.
10................................... Calgary Catholic Canada................. Medical and
Immigration Society. psychological.
11................................... Canadian Centre for Canada................. Psychological.
Victims of Torture.
12................................... Edmonton Centre for Canada................. Psychological.
Survivors of Torture
and Trauma.
13................................... Reseau d'intervention Canada................. Medical, psychological
aupres des personnes and social.
ayant subi la violence
organisee.
14................................... Vancouver Association Canada................. Psychological and
for Survivors of social.
Torture.
15................................... Service d'aide Canada................. Psychological.
psychologique
specialisee aux
immigrants et refugies.
16................................... Federation France................. Legal.
internationale des
ligues des droits de
l'homme.
17................................... Centre d'accueil et de France................. Medical, psychological,
soins Primo Levi. social and legal.
18................................... Comite medical pour les France................. Medical, psychological
exiles. and social.
19................................... OSIRIS................. France................. Medical and
psychological.
20................................... Parcours de jeunes..... France................. Medical and
psychological.
21................................... Exilio Hilfe fur Germany................ Medical, psychological,
Fluchtlinge und social and legal.
Folteruberlebende e.V.
22................................... Caritas-Koln........... Germany................ Psychological.
23................................... Centre for the Germany................ Medical, psychological
Treatment of Torture and social.
Victims
(Behandlungszentrum
fur Folteropfer
Berlin).
24................................... Xenion Psychosoziale Germany................ Medical and
Hilfen fur politisch psychological.
Verfolgte e.V..
25................................... P.S.Z.--Psychosoziales Germany................ Psychological and
Zentrum fuer social.
Fluechtlinge
Duesseldor.
26................................... Refugio, Bremen........ Germany................ Psychological.
27................................... Refugio, Munich........ Germany................ Medical, psychological,
social and financial.
28................................... Medical Rehabilitation Greece................. Medical, psychological,
Centre for Torture social and legal.
Victims.
29................................... SPIRASI Centre for the Ireland................ Medical, psychological,
Care of Survivors of social, legal and
Torture. training.
30................................... Associazione Volontaria Italy.................. Medical, psychological,
di Assistenza Socio- social and legal.
Sanitaria e per i
Diritti di Stranieri e
Nomadi.
31................................... Casa del Diritti Italy.................. Psychological, social
Sociali--Focus, Rome. and legal.
32................................... JRC--Assoc Centro Italy.................. Social, legal and
Astalli. financial.
33................................... Medici contro la Italy.................. Medical, psychological,
tortura. social, legal and
financial.
34................................... Italian Refugee Council Italy.................. Medical, psychological,
social and legal.
35................................... Exil Espana............ Spain.................. Medical, psychological
and social.
36................................... Red Cross Sweden................. Medical, psychological
Rehabilitation Centre and social.
for Torture and War
Victims in Goteborg.
37................................... Red Cross Sweden................. Psychological and
Rehabilitation Centre social.
in Uppsala.
38................................... Croix-Rouge Suisse..... Switzerland............ Medical, psychological
and social.
39................................... Appartenances.......... Switzerland............ Psychological.
40................................... Unite de medecine des Switzerland............ Medical and
voyages et des psychological.
migrations.
41................................... Organisation mondiale Switzerland............ Medical, social and
contre la torture. legal.
42................................... Human Rights Foundation Turkey................. Medical, psychological
of Turkey. and social.
43................................... Legal Aid for Women Turkey................. Medical, psychological,
Raped or Sexually social, legal and
Assaulted by State financial.
Security Forces,
Istanbul, Turkey
(Toplum ve Hukuk
Arastirmalari Vakfi--
TOHAV.
44................................... TOHAV.................. Turkey................. Medical, psychological,
social, legal and
financial.
45................................... Helsinki Citizen's Turkey................. Psychological and
Assembly. legal.
46................................... Prisoners of Conscience United Kingdom of Great Financial.
Appeal Fund. Britain and Northern
Ireland.
47................................... The Death Penalty United Kingdom of Great Legal.
Project. Britain and Northern
Ireland.
48................................... Women Against Rape..... United Kingdom of Great Psychological, social,
Britain and Northern financial and legal.
Ireland.
49................................... Kurdish Human Rights United Kingdom of Great Legal.
Project. Britain and Northern
Ireland.
50................................... Medical Foundation for United Kingdom of Great Medical, psychological,
the Care of Victims of Britain and Northern social, legal and
Torture. Ireland. financial.
51................................... Redress Trust.......... United Kingdom of Great Legal.
Britain and Northern
Ireland.
52................................... Ctre MULTICULT H. Serv. United States of Medical, psychological,
America. social, legal,
financial (emergency
fund) and other.
53................................... Doctors of the WORLD... United States of Medical, psychological,
America. social and legal.
54................................... TASSC--Helping Hand United States of Medical, psychological,
Hands. America. social, legal,
financial.
55................................... TASSC- Internat. United States of Psychological, social
Communities. America. and financial
56................................... Acces ArabCom.Ctr...... United States of Medical, psychological,
America. psychiatric, social
and other.
57................................... Asian Americans........ United States of Medical, psychological,
America. psychiatric, social
and legal assistance.
58................................... El Rescate Legal United States of Legal.
Services. America.
59................................... Gulf Coast Community United States of Medical, psychological,
Care. America. social and legal.
60................................... Human Rights Initiative United States of Medical and
of North Texas. America. psychological.
61................................... International Institute United States of Psychological and
of Boston. America. social.
62................................... Greater Boston Legal United States of Psychological and
Services. America. legal.
63................................... Khmer Health Advocates. United States of Psychological.
America.
64................................... Legal Aid Foundation... United States of Legal.
America.
65................................... Lowell Community Health United States of Medical, psychological,
Center. America. social and financial.
66................................... Lutheran Children...... United States of Medical, psychological
America. and social.
67................................... KHA--Khmer Health United States of Medical, psychological
Advocates. America. and social.
68................................... Centre for Victims of United States of Medical, psychological
Torture. America. and social.
69................................... Centre for United States of Medical, psychological,
Multicultural Human America. social and legal.
Services.
70................................... Centre for Survivors of United States of Medical, psychological
Torture. America. and legal.
71................................... SOTI--Surv. San Diego.. United States of Medical, psychological,
America. social and legal.
72................................... Minnesota Advocates for United States of Legal.
Human Rights. America.
73................................... Physicians for Human United States of Medical, psychological
Rights. America. and legal.
74................................... Programme for Torture United States of Medical and
Victims. America. psychological.
75................................... Provident Counselling.. United States of Medical.
America.
76................................... Advocates for Survivors United States of Medical, psychological,
of Trauma and Torture, America. social and legal.
Baltimore.
77................................... Bellevue Association... United States of Medical, psychological,
America. social and legal.
78................................... Boston Medical Centre.. United States of Medical, psychological,
America. social and legal.
79................................... Utah Health............ United States of Medical, psychological,
America. social and legal.
80................................... Survivors of Torture, United States of Medical, psychological,
International. America. social, legal and
other.
81................................... The Centre for Justice United States of Legal.
and Accountability. America.
82................................... Rocky Mountain United States of Medical, psychological
Survivors Centre. America. and legal.
83................................... Torture Treatment United States of Medical, psychological,
Centre (Oregon). America. social and legal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In total, 165 projects.
USAID,
Washington, DC, July 27, 2007.
Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of June 22, 2007,
requesting detailed information about the U.S. Agency for International
Development's support for international treatment centers, their
programs, and recent grant assistance. Responses to your detailed
questions are enclosed.
If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to let me
know.
Sincerely,
James R. Kunder,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
______
Question. How many programs globally are currently supported
through the Victims of Torture Fund (VTF)? What proportion of funding
is provided to entities which offer direct services to torture victims
versus those which support research and provide training to health care
providers?
Answer. The Fund supports activities in 23 countries and regions:
Africa: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe (9).
Asia and Near Fast (ANE): Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia,
Nepal, Pakistan, West Bank Gaza, Sri Lanka, Tibet (through
mission in India), and Timor Leste (9).
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): Guatemala, Haiti,
Peru, and a regional program based in Costa Rica (4).
Europe and Eurasia (E&E): Kosovo (1).
Approximately 60 percent of our funds are for direct services to
torture victims, 35 percent for training health care providers, and 5
percent for research.
Question. Approximately how many individuals currently are served,
in total and disaggregated regionally, through programs funded by VTF?
Answer. The fund supports 191 local organizations through our main
partners in the form of sub-grants. The approximate number of
individuals who have received direct services and been trained through
our main partners and local organizations is broken down by region.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct
Region services Training
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa........................................ 42,200 430
Latin America and Caribbean................... 12,900 300
Asia, Near East............................... 7,600 670
Europe and Eurasia............................ 500 70
Total....................................... 63,200 1,470
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question. What is the process for awarding a grant through the VTF?
In fiscal years 2006 and 2007, how many entities received grants
through the VTS, who were the recipients, and what was the funding
level awarded to each?
Answer. The Victims of Torture Fund awards grants through
competition or unsolicited proposals with most grants competed and
awarded by USAID Missions in specific countries. Each year the Fund
sends a statement to USAID Missions which provides solicitation
guidelines and a description of programs and desired outcomes. The Fund
works with USAID's regional bureaus in Washington to identify Missions
and programs that are most suitable for meeting the Victim of Torture
Fund mandate. Often Victims of Torture programs are included in broader
mission solicitations or ongoing efforts. (Burundi, Uganda are
examples). All solicitations are awarded in consultation with the USAID
Mission.
Those countries where awards were not competed must provide
justification to USAID/Washington. Most often the justification for the
exception to competition is the unique capability of a single
organization to provide in-country support to victims of torture.
Sometimes the cover of a grant's broader range of activities provides a
measure of security for local NGOs that seek to support this cause but
may be operating in an environment that is more restrictive with regard
to this issue.
Solicitation for competitive awards by country may be found at
www.grants.gov. Organizations interested in submitting unsolicited
proposals should first submit a concept paper to the appropriate USAID
Mission and to the USAID program manager, Mr. Lloyd Feinberg, Bureau of
Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, Office of Democracy
and Governance (email: [email protected]).
In keeping with its legislative mandate, the Fund gives priority to
programs that treat and rehabilitate torture-affected individuals.
Proposals for training and research are also considered. Program
activities eligible for funding should aim to:
Increase access to services that improve the status and
function of torture-affected individuals, their families, and
communities and that promote healing.
Improve the quality of interventions for torture-affected
individuals and communities through the study of the impact of
interventions.
Increase the capacity of organizations and individuals
involved in delivering services to torture-affected
individuals, their families and communities.
Increase knowledge and dissemination of findings related to
long-term improvements in function and healing.
In 2006, VTF provided the following amounts to entities listed
below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount (in
Country Entity dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DemocraticRepublic of the Congo International 1,218,000.
(DRC). RescueCommittee:
includes sub-
grants to 17 local
organizations.
DemocraticRepublic of the Congo Cooperazione 335,000.
(DRC). Internationale.
Zimbabwe........................ Pact, Inc.: 1,225,000.
includes sub-
grants to 4 local
organizations.
LAC Regional.................... Inter-American 600,000.
Institute forHuman
Rights: includes
sub-grants to 23
local
organizations.
Global.......................... Center for Victims 1,200,000.
of Torture:
includes sub-
grants to 23 local
organizations.
U.S............................. Boston University.. 457,782.
Guatemala....................... United Nations 540,000.
Development
Program: includes
sub-grants to 16
local
organizations.
Indonesia....................... International 896,218.
Catholic Migration
Commission:include
s sub-grants to 7
local
organizations.
Peru............................ Center for 477,000.
Psychosocial
Attention:
includes sub-
grants to 6 local
organizations.
Peru............................ Institute for Legal 123,000.
Defense.
Tibet (through mission in India) Tibetan Voluntary 250,000.
Health.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final funding figures for 2007 are not yet available.
Question. Are grants awarded based on a competitive process? If
not, what process was used to select grantees?
Answer. Grants are awarded based on the process described in
response to question three. In 2006, for example, the Minnesota-based
Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) submitted an unsolicited proposal
requesting an extension of an ongoing grant. In Haiti, a Request for
Application (RFA) was issued for a competitive award.
Of the 14 agreements within the existing portfolio, it is estimated
that 10 of them (71 percent) were originally competitively awarded
(Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Timor Leste,
Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Latin America Regional, and Haiti).
Question. Of the 2006 and 2007 grantees, how many entities had
received funding in prior years? Which were they?
Answer. For 2006, all grantees listed in the table under question
three received prior awards. A new activity was planned in Haiti. A new
award was made to the International Catholic Migration Commission in
Indonesia, although they had received funding previously. Most awards
are for 2-3 years and are incrementally funded each year. Decisions on
awards in 2007 are pending receipt of final budget figures.
Question. What oversight mechanisms exist to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programs? What is USAID's process for conducting
such oversight?
Answer. VTF is working with staff from the Center for International
Health and Development at the Boston University School of Public Health
and the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) in Minnesota, to evaluate
promising interventions in order to strengthen the quality of services
for survivors of torture. By understanding their impact, we are bitter
able to identify best practices and lessons learned .and sustain
ongoing efforts.
With Boston University staff, the Fund has conducted qualitative
studies with our partners in Indonesia, Mexico, Haiti, and the DRC.
These assessments were conducted as the first phase of a larger program
of technical assistance supporting VTF grantees. They included
workshops on the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of
programs in Guatemala, Uganda, Indonesia, DRC, Kenya, Cambodia,
Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Sierra Leone. The purpose is to help
grantees design psychosocial programs to treat survivors of torture and
to develop more rigorous systems of monitoring and evaluation of
programs. As a follow-up to initial qualitative studies and workshops,
Boston University and CVT will be working closely with partners in DRC,
Indonesia, Peru, Sierra Leone and Cambodia to design and implement
impact studies in the coming year.
USAID is conducting oversight through a program manager, who is
assisted by contractor staff to review progress reports, maintain
contact with the field, and conduct monitoring visits.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,
Administration For Children And Families,
Washington, DC, July 20, 2007.
Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Biden: Secretary Leavitt has asked me to thank you for
your letter requesting information about the Department of Health and
Human Services' (HHS) support for domestic centers and programs
specializing in the treatment of victims of torture and to respond to
you directly. I am pleased to provide you with the following
information in response to the questions included in your letter.
Question. How many domestic programs are currently supported by the
appropriated funding? What proportion of funding is provided to
entities which offer direct services to torture victims versus those
which support research and provide training to health care providers?
Answer. A total of 22 programs are currently supported by the
appropriated funding administered by the Administration for Children
and Families' (ACF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Of these 22
programs, 20 are funded as Assistance to Torture Survivors Through
Direct Services. Two programs are funded as Technical Assistance to
Organizations and Institutions Providing Direct Services to Torture
Survivors.
The 20 programs that provide direct services to torture victims
receive 91.5 percent of the total grant funding. The two grantees
providing technical assistance receive the remaining 8.5 percent of
grant funding.
Question. Approximately how many individuals are currently served
through the domestic programs, and what are the primary countries of
origin of the individuals who are served?
Answer. During the first six months of the current grant period (9/
30/06-3/31/07), the 20 grantees providing direct services to torture
survivors reported serving 3,220 individuals.
The primary countries of origin as reported by program grantees
are: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Iran, Congo, Iraq, Sudan, and Togo.
Question. What is the process for awarding a grant under this
program? In fiscal years 2006 and 2007, how many entities received
grants, who were the recipients, and what was the funding level awarded
to each entity?
Answer. ORR issues a Funding Opportunity Announcement inviting
applications for Services for Survivors of Torture. The most recent
Funding Opportunity Announcement was issued in the Spring of 2006 for
project periods of up to 3 years. In accordance with HHS grants policy,
applications are evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on
the basis of specific evaluation review criteria, as stated in the
published announcement.
The attached chart (see below) provides a listing of the 22
entities funded under the fiscal year (FY) 2006 appropriation for 3-
year project periods, beginning September 30, 2006. At this time,
continuation applications are being reviewed for award with FY 2007
appropriated funding, subject to satisfactory progress by the grantee
in the first year of the project period. It is expected that the
continuation funding will be commensurate with FY 2006 funding levels.
Question. Are grants awarded based on a competitive process? If
not, what process was used to select grants?
Answer. Grants are awarded for the Services for Survivors of
Torture Program based on a competitive process, as described above.
Question. Of the 2006 and 2007 grantees, how many entities had
received funding in prior years? Which were they?
Answer. All of the 22 programs that were funded in FY 2006 and are
being funded in FY 2007 for the 3-year project period that began
September 30, 2006, had received funding in prior years.
Question. What oversight mechanisms exist to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programs? What is O's process for conducting such
oversight?
Answer. ORR has implemented the following oversight mechanisms to
evaluate the effectiveness of the programs:
On-site Monitoring: ORR has dedicated staff who administer
and oversee the Services for Survivors of Torture Program.
Staff regularly conduct on-site monitoring visits to review
performance, client outcome evaluation and reporting, data
collection processes and instruments, and financial management.
Progress Reporting: All grantees are required to submit
semi-annual Program Progress Reports and Financial Status
Reports to ORR. In their applications for funding, programs
identify specific client-based outcomes that show how persons
who have been tortured will benefit from their services.
Grantees report their success in achieving their projected
outcomes in their semi-annual progress reports. These reports
are reviewed against the original applications for funding to
determine progress and accomplishments. ORR staff conduct
follow-up with grantees on an ongoing basis to discuss their
performance, challenges, and promising practices.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Please call me if I can
be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Daniel C. Schneider,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)--Funded Torture Treatment Programs,
FY 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant
ORR funded program amount (in
dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Technical Assistance
Center for Victims of Torture--National Capacity Building 470,000
Project.................................................
Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services--National Partnership 335,000
for Community Training..................................
California
Survivors of Torture, International...................... 475,000
Asian Americans for Community Involvement................ 380,000
Program for Torture Victims.............................. 475,000
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles...................... 265,000
Colorado
Rocky Mountain Survivors Center.......................... 535,000
Florida
Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, Gulf Coast
Jewish Family Services475,000...........................
Georgia
Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors, DeKalb County 385,000
Board of Health.........................................
Illinois
The Marjorie Kovler Center for the Treatment of Survivors 535,000
of Torture, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human
Rights..................................................
Maryland
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service................. 380,000
Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma............ 395,000
Massachusetts
Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, Boston 475,000
Medical Center Corporation..............................
Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma/Massachusetts General 375,000
Hospital................................................
Michigan
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services... 475,000
Minnesota
Center for Victims of Torture............................ 535,000
Missouri
Comprehensive Services for Torture Survivors Program, 475,000
City of St. Louis Mental Health Board of Trustees.......
New York
Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture, NYC-Health 535,000
& Hospitals Corporation.................................
Oregon
Torture Treatment Center of Oregon, Oregon Health & 400,000
Science University......................................
Texas
Center for Survivors of Torture.......................... 415,000
Utah
Utah Health and Human Rights Project, TIDES Center....... 285,000
Virginia
Center for Multicultural Human Services.................. 415,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------