|
|
Urgent petition from Dr.
Oscar Elías Biscet prisoner of conscience in Cuba.
A letter released in Havana, Cuba on June 23rd, by Elsa Morejón
Hernández, wife of prisoner of conscience, Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet,
denounces the critical situation this Cuban physician is facing at
Prison Kilo 8 in the province of Pinar del Rio, 162 km. away from his
home where he is serving a 25 year sentence after being sanctioned (
Case # 15 of the year 2003) for committing crimes “against the
sovereignty and the integrity of the Cuban territory.”
On June 17, 2004, Officer Mario Luis, who says he is carrying out “new
orders which all prisoners must obey”, prohibited the delivery of any
daily rations of foodstuff offered at the penitentiary to Dr. Biscet’s
cell. Since that day, Dr. Biscet is eating only what other prisoners
might bring him. Dr. Biscet’s family wasn’t informed of this new
regulation until June 19, during a 30 prison visit on Father’s Day.
Dr. Biscet stated to his family the following: “Since April of 2003 when
I was unjustly sanctioned, I have never gone to the dining halls of
either of the two prisons where I have been confined, because I was
always punished in isolation cells. On January 16 of this year, the
prison director proposed that I leave the isolation cell to share a
prison cell with 16 common prisoners. I accepted on the condition that I
wasn’t going to participate in any political activity or go to the
prison dining halls where there is inadequate hygiene, there are fights
amongst prisoners, and violations exist regarding the quality and
quantity of the food provided. My presence at the dining hall would
force me to peacefully confront prison authorities regarding these
violations, since I am both a physician and a human rights activist. The
prison director accepted my arguments and allowed an inmate to bring me
the food to my cell daily. Since June 17, I haven’t had any food brought
to me, practically forcing me to be on a hunger strike. No one has given
me an explanation for this, not even the prison director. This new
reprisal is directed only against me since there are other prisoners who
refuse to eat at the prison dining hall and their food rations are
presently brought to them. I am praying to God so that his situation is
resolved in the best manner possible. I ask you, my mother and my
friends to read Psalm 11. I have the spiritual sustenance and the
strength that God provides to all those who love him in justice and
truth.”
The family found Dr. Biscet’s high blood pressure under control but
found him very thin, having lost around 60 pounds of body weight since
his incarceration in Prison Kilo 8. His teeth are totally deteriorated
due to the dire prison conditions he has suffered and is suffering, and
the lack of medical attention which he refuses to accept because he
distrusts the intentions of the military medical personnel at the
prison.
Dr. Biscet has had only two prison visits since January of 2004, each
visit lasting two hours. He has never been permitted to receive a phone
call from his family. The prisoners have no television, they are not
permitted to have a radio, a mattress to sleep, a fan, nor do they have
access to a shower or enough water to bathe, and cells lack windows.
Dr. Biscet’s family considers him an innocent man, his only crime being
“a soldier of non-violence, on behalf of human rights and a pro-life
defender”. So that this situation is resolved, they urgently request
that all men and women of good will appeal to the Cuban government on
behalf of Dr. Biscet’s life and the psychological well-being of all his
family. Prison authorities keep silence before the family’s request for
permission to take food to Dr. Biscet in prison “so that he does not
become ill or die of starvation.”
Elsa Morejon’s testimony was
obtained from Cuba via fax in the USA. Translation to English:
Coalition of Cuban-American Women/LAIDA CARRO E-mail:
Joseito76@aol.com
Elsa Morejon Hernandez/ Address:
Acosta 464 entre 8va y 9na, Lawton, Municipio 10 de Octubre, La Habana,
Cuba.
Tel: + 537 991774
Website:
www.biscet.org
Distributed by:
Lawton Foundation
Source: La Nueva Cuba
July 1, 2004
|
|