A joint resolution regarding the implementation of the policy of the United States Government in opposition to the practice of torture by any foreign government.
PL 98-447 (H.J.Res.605), enacted 10/04/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-447—OCT. 4, 1984 
98 STAT. 1721 
Public Law 98-447 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Regarding the implementation of the policy of the United States Government in 
Oct. 4, 1984 
opposition to the practice of torture by any foreign government. 
[H.J. Res. 605] 
Whereas international human rights organizations have investi-
gated and reported on the use of torture in many countries 
throughout the world; 
Whereas the Department of State in its annual country reports on 
human rights practices has reported that torture is all too fre-
quent in many countries of the world; 
Whereas torture knows no ideological boundaries and is practiced in 
countries in every region of the world; 
Whereas torture is absolutely prohibited by international legal 
standards; 
Whereas in those countries where torture is practiced systemati-
cally, it is possible to identify laws, institutions, and other forms of 
political organization that contribute to the practice and allow its 
continuation; 
Whereas legal, medical, religious, and other groups seeking to 
combat torture emphasize that access to detainees, the civil and 
criminal prosecution of torturers, and the rehabilitation of victims 
of torture are critical steps in reducing the practice and effects of 
torture; 
Whereas the United States Government has supported the work of 
the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in developing 
the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman 
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which is intended to 
reduce the practice of torture and lead to its eventual abolition, 
and the United States Government is supportive of the United 
Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture; and 
Whereas the good will of the peoples of the world toward the United 
States can be increased when the United States distances itself 
from the practice of torture by governments friendly to the United 
States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress reaf- 
Human rights. 
firms that it is the continuing policy of the United States Govern- 
Law 
ment to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments 
22 usc'2656 
through public and private diplomacy and, when necessary and 
note. 
appropriate, through the enactment and vigorous implementation of 
laws intended to reinforce United States policies with respect to 
torture. The United States Government opposes acts of torture 
wherever they occur, without regard to ideological or regional con-
siderations, and will make every effort to work cooperatively with 
other governments and with nongovernmental organizations to 
combat the practice of torture worldwide. 
SEC. 2, (a) The President is requested— 
22 use 2656 
note. 
98 STAT. 1722 
PUBLIC LAW 98-447—OCT. 4, 1984 
(1) to instruct the Permanent Representative of the United 
States to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of 
torture practiced by governments; and 
(2) to continue to involve the United States Government in 
the formulation of international standards and effective imple-
menting mechanisms, 
particularly 
the draft 
Convention 
Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treat-
ment or Punishment. 
(b) In order to implement the policy expressed in the first section 
of this resolution, the Secretary of State is requested to issue formal 
instructions to each United States chief of mission regarding United 
States policy with respect to torture, including— 
(1) instructions— 
(A) to examine allegations of the practice of torture, 
particularly allegations concerning the existence of secret 
detention, extended incommunicado detention, and restric-
tions on access by family members, lawyers, and independ-
ent medical personnel to detainees; and 
(B) to forward such information as may be gathered, 
including information regarding any efforts made by the 
host government to reduce and eliminate the practice of 
torture, to the Assistant Secretary of State for Human 
Rights and Humanitarian Affairs for analysis in preparing 
the Department's annual country reports on human rights 
practices; 
(2) in the case of a chief of mission assigned to a country 
where torture is regularly practiced, instructions to report on a 
periodic b£isis as circumstances require to the Assistant Secre-
tary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs 
regarding efforts made by the respective United States diplo-
matic mission to implement United States policy with respect to 
combating torture; 
(3) instructions to meet with indigenous human rights moni-
toring groups knowledgeable about the practice of torture for 
the purpose of gathering information about such practice; and 
(4) instructions to express concern in individual cases of 
torture brought to the attention of a United States diplomatic 
mission including, whenever feasible, sending United States 
observers to trials when there is reason to believe that torture 
has been used against the accused. 
Exports. 
(c) The Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce vigor-
ously the current restrictions on the export of crime control equip-
so use app. 
ment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. 
2401 note. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-447—OCT. 4, 1984 
98 STAT. 1723 
(d) The heads of the appropriate departments of the United States 
Government that furnish mihtary and law enforcement training to 
foreign personnel, particularly personnel from countries where the 
practice of torture has been a documented concern, shall include in 
such training, when relevant, instruction regarding international 
human rights standards and the policy of the United States with 
respect to torture. 
Approved October 4, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 605 (S.J. Res. 320): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Sept. 11, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 21, considered and passed Senate.