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El Roque, the Hope of the Cuban People PDF Print E-mail

El Roque, the Hope of the Cuban People

The town of El Roque in Matanzas, Cuba has become an important and dynamic center for the quest of human rights for the Cuban people

The latest prisoners of conscience to be liberated, belonging to the group of the 75, have made this beautiful, idyllic, country town our official seat. And most important of all is that this agreement constitutes a profound and indestructible love of country and hope for the rest of our compatriots. The members of this group of democratic dissidents, in spite of being individuals with diverse opinions, have a clearly defined theory as to the methodology to be employed in our quest for democracy and freedom for the Cuban people. Besides, we have the backing of having been incarcerated, harassed and tortured by the regime for having taken the initiative to use the methods of a nonviolent civic struggle the essential formula to gain freedom for our homeland.

Our El Roque group made a second declaration July 14, 2011 which has come to be known as , “Segunda Declaración de El Roque”[ Second Declaration of El Roque.] In this declaration, we reaffirm our desire to open up the group to the rest of the peaceful opposition and  consolidate its popular base. Our primary objective for the next three months is to achieve the unification of all peaceful opposition forces with equal dignity and conditions for all members. Our principal objective is to have all of the democratic opposition develop a “Proyecto Nacional” [National Project] for the democratization and freedom of our country.

Nevertheless, at the same time that we congregated and tried to fuse our ideas at El Roque, another project emerged from the public spectrum of the Cuban opposition, “El Camino del Pueblo” [The Way of the People]. This led a lot of political activists and journalists to want to know why I had not adhered to this proclamation. I had not answered those questioning me because I needed to study the document in detail and to respond objectively without hurting, neither spiritually nor mentally, those brothers promoting this new model. I will be succinct in my explanation of my thoughts about the new project so my compatriots and others around the world who are interested can have a better understanding of my opinion about “ El Camino del Pueblo.”

This protocol is profoundly ideological. Moreover, I think it is intensely socialist. It is a reform of the regime which consults with and counts on the participation of the same hierarchy that has been destroying the Cuban nation during the past fifty years. Neither does it propose a method of struggle to force the powerful leaders of the regime to negotiate the restoration of democracy to the nation. It is nothing other than the continuation of communism which in Castro-Stalinist words would mean to save communism.

We know that the Castro regime is in its final phase. That is why I pray to the God of the Bible to fill us all with courage and wisdom to lead Cuba towards the goals of and total respect for the human rights of all its people. I also pray to the Biblical God that in our next encounter at El Roque on October 14, we will be able to consolidate a unifying project, first in the humanitarian aspect and secondly in the political aspect, towards peaceful changes in our nation with ideas of members representing the entire opposition.

For love of this God of justice and freedom, my admiration goes out to members of the opposition at El Roque as well as to those worthy brothers in the struggle who help the hope of our people for absolute liberty to be strengthened and to grow each and every day.

 
CUBA IS STILL A LONG WAY FROM THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM OF AUGSBURG PDF Print E-mail

 

CUBA IS STILL A LONG WAY FROM THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM OF AUGSBURG

 

 

In 1555, in the city of Augsburg, the German Imperial Diet convened and put an end to the thirty years of war that led to the acknowledgement of the principles of the Reform Movement. These agreements are known as the Peace of Augsburg. It is a source of pride to the Western world that political freedom and religious freedom or freedom of conscience came to be at the same time in Augsburg.

 

Many priests and believers broke away from obedience to the Pope and established protestant churches. The most famous leaders of this odyssey were Martin Luther, its initiator in Germany, Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland, Martin Bucer in France and England, and John Calvin in Switzerland and France. From these pillars, the movement spread to Poland, Bohemia, Hungary and the British Isles.

 

From within the Protestant Church three creeds came into being: The Lutherans, the Calvinists and the Anglicans. The latter will serve later on as the springboard for the Baptists and the Methodists.

 

It is precisely religious freedom which signals the beginning of the Modern Age with its transition to the contemporary one. The acknowledgement of that freedom, and later on of the other basic rights, was the result of intense and prolonged struggles. The most important ones were freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly. These advancements were consolidated by the triumph of the American Revolution with its brilliant constitutional text which has served as an inspiration and model to numerous constitutions throughout the world. Therefore, modern democracy emerged in Philadelphia, an indisputable daughter of the democracy which had disappeared from the classical Greece of the V Century, B.C.

 

Following in those models, the Cuban Constituent Assembly of 1902 guaranteed the most absolute freedom of religion. This inalienable right was also assured by our second Law of laws of 1940. All of that judicial order, protector of the citizen, was dismantled in 1959 by a Communist dictatorship that governed by decree for 17 years; a Communist dictatorship that systematically violates its own Constitution of 1976.

 

It is true that this Fundamental Law of 1976 states that it will protect freedom of religion. But it is a proven fact that the regime persecutes and punishes those who profess any type of religion. And there is sure proof. On June 27th of this year, Methodist pastor, Yordi Toranzo, was expelled from his temple and congregation as well as being obligated to evacuate his home along with his wife and young children. All of this took place via order of Ricardo Pereira Diaz, bishop of the Cuban Methodist Convention, who said he acted under orders of the Communist Party of Santa Clara and of the Cuban Government. This bishop told Toranzo that he should follow government orders and that he could no longer offer spiritual guidance to dissidents.

 

But Pastor Toranzo is not alone. He has the support of his congregation, of the community in general and of the other pastors. This has angered the authorities and Sunday the 26th, pastors and believers of other congregations were arrested on their way to church. Some were taken to cells in the headquarters of the Santa Clara Police, others were brutally beaten and many were placed under house arrest.

 

It is certain that those events do not compare to St. Bartholomew’s night on which French Protestants were assassinated, imprisoned and deported by order of King Charles IX. Neither can we compare this with a revocation of the Edict of Nantes by petition of the absolutist King Louis XIV, which sparked off a criminal persecution of the Huguenots. But it is indisputable proof that even though in Cuba we do not have an absolutist monarch in power, we have an absolutist tyrant that reminds us with his actions of the religious persecutions of these French kings.

 

To add insult to injury, June 26, 2011, more than 20 evangelical Christians were imprisoned along with a Baptist pastor, Mario F. Llonart. We will remember that day as one when the most brutal repression against freedom of conscience has been displayed recently. It is in essence, the Cuban St. Bartholomew night. That is why we are shouting at the top of our lungs that Cuba is still a long way from the spirit of freedom of Augsburg.

 
Bono Honors Me and the Regime Cracks Down on Me PDF Print E-mail

 

Bono Honors Me and the Regime Cracks Down on Me

 

The words of rock star and activist Bono produced an interesting moment during the U2 Concert at Sun Life Stadium in Florida. With them, he has given the world a clearer vision of the neo-slavery conditions in which the harassed Cuban people live.

The Irish singer, Paul Hewson, made a call for freedom for the Cuban people by recognizing in the humanitarian deeds of a man the primary objective of freedom for a nation.

Bono analyzes with preciseness a human being’s disposition to fight, his principles, dignity, profession, suffering, unjust imprisonment, worries, hope, faith for the future of a nation.

Before a crowd of 73,000, the poetic prose of the Irishman described me with these moving words:

“A beautiful man, a man who has spent time in Cuban prisons and has been released. His name is Dr. Biscet. I want you to keep him in mind, and I want to let everyone in Cuba know that he is special, and that we are watching; we are watching. Keep him in your thoughts. Keep him in your prayers.”

Though this praise fills me with emotion, it does not affect my ego, because I am convinced that his goal is to save my people from the Castro-Communist regime. I accept it not as personal praise but as a tribute to my heroic Cuban people. And that is why I ask other respected and famous personalities to imitate Bono’s worthy attitude so that my nation may soon enjoy complete freedom and have the basic human rights of each of its citizens respected.

Ireland’s free spirit, manifested in Bono’s gesture, leads me to recall the many Irishmen who died for Cuba’s freedom. Like those five who died before the firing squad at the Castillo de Atarés in 1851; or the Liberating Army’s Coronel O’Hara who wrote on the first Cuban flag to be raised in Cárdenas, “Primus in Cuba! ;” or James J. O’ Kelley, correspondent of the New York Herald, who interviewed some of the nation’s founding father’s on free Cuban territory and divulged some of these wonderful stories.

While the famous rock singer honored me, the Castro regime demonstrated its resentment and cruelty by creating a plan to crack down on me. At the Aguilera police headquarters in Lawton, they concocted a criminal file for control with my personal data and photograph. In an unfruitful attempt to humiliate me, they ordered me to appear at headquarters sometime during the first five days of each month for as long as I am out of prison on furlough.

I categorically affirm to these characters who are blinded by hatred and resentment that I will not go to sign any documents that restrict my freedom or that violate the agreements signed on the Church-State document which served as the basis for my release from prison and that of 75 of my brothers of the Cause of the 75 [Black Spring.] To that end, I am motivated and inspired by the spirit of Eire, the rebellious Irish spirit of my Irish compatriots of the Liberation Army and the rebellious spirit of my friend Bono, distant in geography but close to me in principles and in the struggle for human rights.

I conclude with two phrases of hope and love, one from the famous Martin Luther, and one from the person addressing you, “…Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God!” And mine, “Liberty can only be found when worthy men seek it.”

May God continue blessing your homes and lives.

 
Police Surveillance Increases for Dr. Biscet PDF Print E-mail

 

LAWTON FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Press Release

Police Surveillance Increases for Dr. Biscet

 

 

The Revolutionary National Police has opened a “control and follow-up” file to monitor Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet. On July 5, 2011, the Aguilera Police Station located in Lawton opened a police file that Dr. Biscet will have to sign each month while he is on furlough from prison.

 

This police surveillance practice forced upon citizens that are in the current political process which includes Dr. Biscet, breaks the Church and State agreement for the liberation of the prisoners of the Black Spring of 2003.

 

 

Dr. Angel Garrido

Executive Vice-President

Lawton Foundation for Human Rights

 
CUBA NEEDS TO REGAIN ITS CHRISTIAN SOUL PDF Print E-mail

 

CUBA NEEDS TO REGAIN ITS CHRISTIAN SOUL

OSCAR ELIAS BISCET

PRESIDENT OF THE LAWTON FOUNDATION FOR THE HUMAS RIGHTS

 

When the prison gates opened, as I waited in the police car I touched the pocket on my shirt and smiled. Perhaps the soldier who was guarding me was able to understand by seeing my emotional state because I was being furloughed after eight years in prison. I had a document in my pocket which exonerated me from my unjust imprisonment, but it could not compare to God’s presence in my mind and in my heart.

Then, I recalled God’s words to Abraham, “Is there anything too marvelous for the Lord to do?” Of course not, and I continued smiling with satisfaction and joy. That day, March 11, 2011, I was welcomed home by my loving wife, Elsa Morejón, and my elderly parents, as well as relatives and friends.

During that first day and the others that followed, I was interviewed by the foreign press and radio as well as the Cuban independent journalists. All of them asked if the release of political prisoners signaled the end of repression in Cuba. I answered no, and added that the state imposed terror would increase because we are experiencing the final phase of the Castro regime.

According to Nathan Sharansky, a Soviet intellectual and former political prisoner, “two laws can be formulated in relation to a society of fear: The first one is that the member of double thinkers in a society of fear increases with time; the second one is that the more restrictive a fear society is, the quicker the number of double thinkers in the society will increase.” This is what is happening in my homeland where terror has been exacerbated in this last trimester:

The harassment and beatings of peaceful dissidents, including women.

The torture, inhumane and cruel treatment of Reina Tamayo, the mother of martyr, Orlando Zapata Tamayo.

The arrest of more than 200 peaceful dissidents.

The extrajudicial assassination of activist Juan Wilfredo Soto García.

The imprisonment of six dissidents sanctioned with 3 to 5 year prison terms for making use of freedom of thought and speech.

Pedro Pablo Olivar, member of the Asamblea Provincial del Poder Popular (Provincial Assembly of the Popular Party,) was expelled from the above mentioned Assembly for relating with dissidents.

The deportation of the remains of Orlando Zapata Tamayo along with his family and relatives.

Campaigns in the government controlled media to discredit well known dissidents: Yoani Sánchez, Dagoberto Valdés and Oscar Elías Biscet.

The Castro-Stalinist regime, in its intent to perpetuate itself in power is promoting non socialist laws to survive the economic crisis it faces. The Congreso del Partido Comunista (Congress of the Communist Party) approved the alignments to update the economy, allowing small enterprises with limitations on the employees and competition and imposing high taxes that stop the initiatives.

This last congress once again forgot the human dignity of Cubans since no laws were passed in favor of inalienable human rights. They also had to admit the racial discrimination and generalized corruption that is rampant in their socialist society. They made miniscule changes with regards to term limits to positions in the administrative power and attempted to change the communist regime from a personal dictatorship to a party dictatorship which amounts to a farce. But they are not fooling anyone since the repression is the same.

On the other hand, even though Cubans live in a society of fear, the opposition has adhered to and consolidated based on the principles of non violent struggle for civil rights. The theories of Henry Thoreau, Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Gene Sharp, which are considered subversive by the regime, are the models of this nonviolent resistance movement. Therefore, the nonviolent revolutions of Northern Africa and the Middle East will soon appear in Latin American countries to topple their autocratic governments, especially the ones in Cuba and Venezuela.

Overseas, Cuban exiles have been a solid and implacable pillar in the struggle for Cuba’s freedom. The Cuban American members of Congress have played an extraordinary role in promoting the cause for freedom for Cuba. An example of this are the reports of the Foreign Policy Committees regarding the risk of contamination and the violation of law with reference to the embargo related to the drilling of oil wells in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico belonging to Cuba and the condemnation of Castro due to his convenient and false repentance of his anti-Semitism.

However, the most moving was the moral support and patriotic fervor with which the remains of a hero, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, were received in Miami. The remains of martyr Zapata were honored by the exiles in marked contrast with the solitary farewell given him on the Island. We owe you our honor friend and compatriot. The death of any Cuban away from his homeland saddens me and in the past 3 months several people who gave their all for the good of the nation have passed away such as: Adolfo Rivero Caro, Nicolás Quintana, and Mirta de Perales. God rest their soul.

Personally, I am recovering my health, and I spend time on the development of my intellect. The first book I read after my release from prison was by Nathan Sharansky who gave it to me with a beautiful impressive dedication. Thank you, friend Nathan. Your book has enriched me spiritually, and it will help me support my people in their struggle for freedom. With regards to other places, I condemn the beatings the Spanish socialists gave to peaceful young people claiming their rights peacefully. I consider it an action similar to those of dictatorships that repress the freedom of expression of its citizens.

Here, in my homeland, on June 4th, there was a proclamation “Declaración de El Roque” rubricated by the latest former political prisoners of the Black Spring, period of the arrests of the 75, their decision to find expeditious ways in common to bring about the democratization and freedom of the total maturity of the Cuban dissidence.

 

As far as the Castro-Stalinist regime goes, we all know it is submerged in a deep economic political, social and moral crisis. The hierarchy has no viable solution for it. After having lived almost half a century promoting a radical atheism and harassing its citizens, they now clamor to the God of the Bible for blessings. To that end, they seek the collaboration of some priests of the Christian and Jewish churches congregations. In this case, the regime’s hierarchy should take into account Judeo Christian teachings when they state: “I, Yahweh.” “I, the Lord alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds” Jeremiah 17:10 (New American Bible.)

Keep this book of the law on your lips. Recite by day and by night, so that you may observe carefully all that is written in it; then you will successfully attain your goal. Joshua 1:8. When he is enthroned in his kingdom, he shall have copy of this law made from the scroll that is in the custody of the priests. He shall keep it with him and read it all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord, his God, and to heed and fulfill all the words this law and these statutes. Deuteronomy 17: 18-20.

When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you. Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil […] Isaiah 1:15-20. But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken! In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it, Isaiah 2:2.

Cuba needs urgent changes in all aspects of life, economical, political, social, cultural ethical and moral. Nevertheless, the most needed change is the recovery of the nation’s Christian soul. Then we will be able to say as the biblical poet: For with you is the fountain of life, and in light we see light. Psalm 36:10.

 
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