THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

June 22, 1998

Dear Sister Ortiz,

Thank you  for your letter regarding the International Day in Support of 
Torture Victims and Survivors on June 26.

I welcome the opportunity to recognize the courage and perseverance of those 
who have suffered torture.  Torture is one of the most brutal manifestations 
of man's capacity for evil.  We must never forget those individuals who have 
been forced to experience this horrible practice.  And we must do all we can to 
help torture survivors overcome its insidious and complex effects.  I applaud 
your efforts in this regard.

My administration is deeply committed to addressing the needs of torture 
survivors.  As you know, we have been the leading donor to the U.N. 
Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture, contributing $1.5 million 
annually.  I am pleased to inform you that we are currently seeking to add 
$300,000 to this year's contribution.  In addition, the Office of Refugee 
Resettlement in the Department of Health and Human Services supports a 
wide range of mental health projects to assist torture victims.  We will 
continue to provide such support and urge other governments to do the 
same.  We also will ensure that prevention of torture remains a special 
priority of our diplomacy, through  our human rights advocacy and 
reporting.

Another important way to protect torture survivors is through effective 
implementation of the Convention against Torture  and Other Cruel, 
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment.  As you may know, the Department of 
Justice and Department of State, in coordination with the National Security 
Council, are actively monitoring ongoing efforts to ensure our full 
compliance with the Treaty.  We also are committed to strengthening our 
ability to investigate and prosecute torturers who may be in the United States 
and to protect those individuals who may be at risk of future torture.

I wish you success in commemorating International Torture Victims and 
Survivors Day.  By reminding the world of the stories and suffering of those 
who have lived through torture, I hope together we can bring an end to this 
illegal and inhumane practice.


                                                        Sincerely,
                
                                                        Bill Clinton

Sister Dianna Ortiz
Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Committee
3321 12th Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20017