Congressman Bob Turner (NY-09) participated in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights hearing about the wrongful and lengthy imprisonment of American businessman Jacob Ostreicher in Bolivia. Turner expressed concern that the U.S. State Department is still unwilling to discuss what steps are being taken to secure Mr. Ostreicher’s freedom.

“A little over a month ago, we held a similar hearing entitled, ‘the U.S. State Department’s inadequate response to human rights concerns in Bolivia.’ Frankly, this hearing could have been entitled ‘the U.S. State Department’s inadequate response to human rights concerns in Bolivia part 2,’ Turner said. “And, perhaps, even that is not completely accurate. Unlike movie sequels, nothing has changed. Jacob has still not been formally charged; he has been denied a hearing; he continues to live in squalor and in constant fear for his life; and his health continues to deteriorate. Despite all of this, the State Department’s response is still inadequate.”

Turner provided similar testimony on June 6th at the first hearing regarding Mr. Ostreicher’s dire situation. At that time, Turner called on the State Department to take a more active role in helping secure Mr. Ostreicher’s fair treatment. A month later the Congressman and his colleagues remain baffled and frustrated by the State Department’s lack of urgency.

“They have been invited, but have declined to testify, claiming that it is better to work behind the scenes. That strategy has been employed for over a year, and I ask, with what result? So, if the State Department were here, I would have one question: What are you doing to help him?”

Congressman Turner has demanded the State Department provide some insight and answers given the clear violation of Mr. Ostreicher’s human rights. If for no other reason than Mr. Ostreicher’s family deserves to know what is being done to rescue their beloved father, grandfather, and husband.

“He has been detained without a hearing; no trial, no jury verdict, no due process. Mr. Chairman, I believe Jacob’s family deserves to know what is going on and I hope the State Department will answer will my question,” Turner concluded.

Mr. Ostreicher’s attorneys Yimy Montaño Villgomez and Jerjes Justiniano Atalá were also in attendance to provide testimony to the committee about the current state of the situation. During his testimony, Yimy Montano Villagomez discussed Mr. Ostreicher’s condition saying, “One of your citizens is dying” and told the panel “If you do not act a timely fashion, this story may not have a happy ending.”

Mr. Ostreicher was detained and has remained imprisoned in Bolivia’s notorious Palmasola Prison for 426 days and counting.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)