The Center for Victims of Torture™ (CVT) has released this statement in response to today’s announcement that the lawsuit brought against psychologists James Mitchell and John “Bruce” Jessen has been settled:

“We at the Center for Victims of Torture were gratified by today’s news that three victims of the CIA’s torture and abuse program reached a settlement with the architects of that program. The resolution of the ACLU’s lawsuit against these psychologists brings a modicum of justice to the three plaintiffs: Mohamed Ahmed Ben Soud and Suleiman Abdullah Salim, who survived their torture, and Gul Rahman, who did not. Today we celebrate that Mitchell and Jessen were held accountable for their heinous actions.

“Today is also a time to recognize that some measure of justice and accountability is possible. Despite today’s announcement, the menace of torture still exists. Now we must redouble our efforts to seek justice for the millions of torture victims around the world, including the estimated 1.3 million refugee survivors living in the United States. Every survivor of torture—and the families of those who did not survive—deserves reparations, the opportunity to hold perpetrators accountable, and access to rehabilitative care. Today, we feel hopeful that this settlement means there has been a break in the cycle of impunity.”—Curt Goering, executive director  

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with offices in Atlanta, GA, and Washington, D.C.; and healing initiatives in Africa and the Middle East.