In
danger life of incarcerated Cuban physician
Dr. Oscar E. Biscet, confined in a "dungeon"
since November 2003
Coalition of Cuban-American
Women , January 3, 2004.
"My husband is unrecognizable since
I last saw him four months ago; he is so
thin, pale and ill looking", declared
Elsa Morejon, wife of the Cuban civic leader,
Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, "
these punishments are destroying him and
if he continues where he is he will die
"
Cuban prisoner of conscience, Dr. Oscar
E. Biscet Gonzalez, who is serving a 25
year prison sentence, continues confined
with a common criminal in a cell with no
windows or light which he described as a
"dungeon", for refusing to stand
up to acknowledge the presence of prison
guards and officials during the recount
of prisoners. His punishment prohibits family
visits, food supplies, toiletries, clothing,
receiving or sending any correspondence,
and going out in the sun.
Dr. Biscet informed his wife that all he
asks is that his status as a political prisoner
be respected by prison authorities who force
him to follow disciplinary measures imposed
upon common prisoners. He reiterated to
his family that "the punishments imposed
upon me are of a psychological nature and
I am doing all in my power to endure them
"
The Prison Director at Prison Kilo 8 informed
Elsa Morejon that her husband "has
no manners" since when he was forced
by guards to stand during the prisoners'
recount he cried out loud "down with
the dictatorship".
Elsa Morejon, her brother and mother-in-law
Hilda Gonzalez, traveled 80 kilometers from
Havana to Kilo 8 Prison in the province
of Pinar del Río and were able to
see Dr. Biscet for 15 minutes after holding
a long argument with high prison officials,
who reminded them Dr. Biscet is punished
and cannot receive any visits. This Cuban
physician has only been permitted one family
visit during the eight months he's been
imprisoned in the province of Pinar del
Rio.
Dr. Biscet previously served 3 years in
prison and was released October 31, 2002,
only to be re-arrested on December 6, 2002
as he was to meet with human rights activists.
On April 7, 2003 he was tried summarily
during a Cuban government crackdown, along
with 75 other activists and independent
journalists and was sentenced to 25 years
for "serving as a mercenary to a foreign
state."
Dr. Biscet, a 42 year old black physician,
follower of Ghandi and Martin Luther King,
has been wearing only his underwear as he
deems it unacceptable to wear a common prisoner's
uniform because he considers himself innocent
of the charges for which he was sentenced.
He suffers from severe hypertension and
gum infection.
Elsa Morejon makes the Cuban government
responsible for the physical and mental
well-being of her husband and urgently appeals
to heads of states, leaders of political,
civic, religious and professional organizations,
the press, and all men and women of good
will worldwide to demand before the Cuban
government the unconditional and immediate
freedom of Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and all
those prisoners whose only crime is to honor
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
in their own country.
Elsa Morejon Hernandez / Address: Acosta
464 entre 8va y 9na, Lawton, Municipio 10
de Octubre, La Habana, Cuba.
Testimony by Elsa Morejon provided via
telephone from Cuba. Recorded, transcribed
and translated. Coalition of Cuban-American
Women/ LAIDA CARRO
Email: Joseito76@aol.com
|