SPLC Action: With Momentum of Resolution 1153, Congress Must Honor the Calls from Women Inside ICDC
Congressional action must continue following resolution condemning unwanted medical procedures without informed consent
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1153, condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent at Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia. The resolution, introduced by Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), had 224 cosponsors and passed 232-156. The resolution follows a visit by a Congressional delegation to speak with women in ICDC on September 26, when 10 members of Congress toured the facility and talked to the women inside.
The following statement is from President and CEO of SPLC Action Fund Margaret Huang:
“We applaud Congress for taking this first, important step in response to the horrific violations of women’s bodily autonomy at ICDC. Now, we must honor the demands of the women inside. They ask for the space to heal from this trauma from the safety of their own homes and communities, not prison; that everyone be released from ICDC and that the facility be closed at once; and that we have real, system-wide accountability.
“ICE’s pattern of abuse and denial of human dignity to the people in its custody perpetuate irreparable harm to the tens of thousands under its watch. Yet the abuses at hundreds of detention centers across the country continue, while ICE escapes accountability.
“Congress must act to stop this cruelty, shut down ICE detention centers and release everyone from ICE custody. The women at ICDC are asking for nothing less. And there must be accountability for the gross human rights abuses in ICE detention by officials at the highest levels of ICE and DHS."
