INHUMANE SITUATION OF EX-PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE IN CUBA,
DR. OSCAR E. BISCET, DEMANDS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
December 22, 2002
According to a testimony obtained the evening of Sunday December 22 from Elsa
Morejon, her husband, Dr. Oscar E. Biscet remains in the Tenth Precinct of the
National Revolutionary Police (Decima Unidad de La PNR) on Acosta Avenue, in
Havana sharing a cell with delinquents and sleeping on the floor. Police
authorities told her he is under preventive prison (prision preventiva). Elsa
Morejon could not be told what he is accused of, his case number, when or where
he would be transferred or when would she be able to see him again.
On Thursday, Elsa Morejon was notified at this Police Precinct in Acosta Avenue
that her husband had been transferred to El Combinado del Este Prison. On Friday
she spent the day searching for her husband at three detention centers with no
results - Dr. Biscet's whereabouts where unknown. Upon returning to the Tenth
Precinct on Saturday she was told that Dr. Biscet was still detained there,
contradicting the police report given to her the previous day.
Of the three activists who continued detained in said Police Unit with Dr.
Biscet, only one remains: Virgilio Marante. Orlando Zapata Tamayo was
transferred to the Guanajay Prison while Raśl Arencibia Fajardo was sent to the
Prison of Valle Grande.
Dr. Oscar E. Biscet,, was arrested along with sixteen fellow activists on
Friday, December 6 when the police prevented the group from meeting at a house
in the neighborhood of Lawton in Havana to discuss human rights. The peaceful
protesters were beaten and violently arrested as they staged an act of
nonviolent civil desobedience. Dr. Biscet has not received adequate medical
treatment for an injury, result of this arrest.
Since his release last October 31st from a maximum security prison in Holguin
where he served a three year sentence, Dr. Biscet, is promoting in the island a
civic project called "Friends of Human Rights" whereby small groups of civilians
meet in homes to learn what their human rights are and ways to defend and demand
them peacefully.
After his release from prison October 31st, Dr. Biscet was unable to receive
medical assistance for a severe gum infection which caused the loss of all his
molars. The family dentist who was supposed to treat him received threats and
was prevented from rendering his services. Dr. Biscet is in danger of loosing
the rest of his teeth if he is not promptly and adequately treated by a
specialist.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Testimony obtained via telephone from Havana from Elsa Morejon, wife of Dr.
Biscet was recorded, transcribed and translated.
Coalition of Cuban-American Women/LAIDA CARRO
Email: Joseito76@aol.com