December 10, 2007

In conjunction with Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Dr. Allen Keller and Dr. Samantha Stewart researched, wrote, and launched a report on torture and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. In April and May of 2007, Dr. Keller and Dr. Stewart traveled to Zimbabwe and South Africa to do detailed medical evaluations of 24 Zimbabweans who had been the victims of torture or political violence in the wake of a government crackdown on President Mugabe's critics. The findings and recommendations of this report are crucial because the 2008 presidential elections are approaching and can not be considered fair or free if the torture, political violence, intimidation of political dissidents, doctors and lawyers continues. Dr. Keller and Dr. Stewart's findings confirm that this state-sponsored violence has devastating physical, psychological and social health consequences, and is a serious threat to democracy in Zimbabwe. The report was launched at the Open Society on Monday, December 10th and was well attended.

• Click here to view the report
• Click here to listen to the live webcast.

November 15th, 2007

This year we were proud to honor Bellevue Hospital Center's Chief Financial Officer Aaron J. Cohen and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof at our 6th Annual Benefit in the United Nations Delegates Dining Room.

Nicholas D. Kristof

Nicholas D. Kristof is a distinguished journalist and Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times. Much of his powerful reporting has focused on the exposure of human rights violations and the portrayal of suffering in the developing world. In 1990 Mr. Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the Tiananmen Square protest. In 2006 he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary described by the judges as "graphic, deeply reported columns that, at personal risk, focused attention on genocide in Darfur and that gave voice to the voiceless in other parts of the world."

Aaron J. Cohen

Aaron J. Cohen is the Chief Financial Officer of Bellevue Hospital Center. SInce he joined the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation in 1983, he has held key positions in numerous city hospitals, dedicating his talents to implementing HHC's mission to provide top quality healthcare to the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Throughout his distinguished career Mr. Cohen has exemplified the qualities of professional excellence, personal integrity and commitment to public service. He has been a long-standing friend of our Program, generously sharing his expertise, guidance and encouragement.

October 4th and September 25th, 2007

Dr. Keller was asked to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. The hearing was on October 4th, 2007 and examined the topic "Detention and Removal: Immigration Detainee Medical Care." Dr. Keller gave oral testimony and had his written statement, on behalf of The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture and Physicians for Human Rights, included in the hearing record.

On September 25th, 2007, Dr. Keller testified in front of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. At this hearing on U.S. Interrogation Policy, Dr. Keller addressed the issue of "enhanced interrogation techniques." Dr. Keller's testimony detailed the profound and dangerous health consequences of torture and abusive interrogation techniques. Dr. Keller confirmed that these supposed "enhanced interrogation techniques" do in fact constitute torture, and cause significant long lasting physical and psychological harm.

• Click here to view testimony