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Havana, Cuba. September 8, 2004.
Cuban political prisoner,
Dr.Oscar Elías Biscet continues confined in critical conditions.
“I have not committed an act of indiscipline but have only requested
security measures for my personal wellbeing due to the difficulties
within the prison compound. No prisoner should be penalized for this
but, if authorities are following high governmental orders, then I will
carry out with dignity this unjust punishment. My conscience and my
spirit are well.”
Dr. Biscet
Cell # 5, Kilo 8 Prison
Pinar del Río
This note from my husband was handed to us on August 26, during a prison
visit. For the period of 17 months after his summary trial on April 7,
2003, my husband has been confined 8 months in punishment cells
suffering inhumane prison conditions. He’s been cut off from his family,
forbidden from receiving any visits, telephone calls, food or any
literature. He’s been deprived of sunlight; his correspondence is
intercepted and he is denied his personal belongings. He sleeps on a
cement slab and only at 10:00 p.m. he is given a small mattress.
From February 2003, through September 7,
2004, he has only been permitted 4 family visits, 3 deliveries of food
provisions, and has never been allowed to make or receive any phone
calls. During the 5 months he was confined with dangerous criminals, he
felt harassed and pressured to comply with a discipline incongruent with
his personality and his principles, reason he refuses to cohabit a cell
with such individuals.
Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet is president of the Lawton Foundation for Human
Rights. His only crimes are to honor the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, oppose the death sentence, and desire to live in a democracy in
his own country. Dr. Biscet cannot practice as a physician in Cuba. He
served a three year sentence in a maximum security prison in the
province of Holguin, 768 kms. away from his home. He was released in
November 2002, and arrested once more on December 6 of the same year.
My husband is a man who preaches and practices nonviolence and who loves
justice. The treatment he is being subjected to in prison goes against
his health, his dignity and his physical integrity. He suffers essential
high blood pressure, hereditary high cholesterol, a deplorable dental
health, and severe digestive disorders.
We are aware that Cuba is signatory of international covenants and
prohibits these punishments, and we are also aware that these acts
constitute an attempt against human rights. Thus, we request solidarity
from international human rights groups, democratic governments, and from
all those devoted to justice, to intercede on behalf of my husband
before the Cuban government so that he is treated in a respectable
manner during the time he must be in prison.
With gratitude,
Elsa Morejon Hernandez.
Wife of prisoner of conscience Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet.
Tel: + 53-7-991774
Source: Letter sent by Elsa
Morejon to the organization “Plantados”. Tel: 305-269-1812. Email:
plantados@bellsouth.net
Translation to English by the Coalition of Cuban-American Women/LAIDA
CARRO.
Email: Joseito76@aol.com
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