This report was revealed in a one hour interview held for the first time between Dr. Biscet and his lawyer, Sergio Hernández Ramos, the afternoon of November 29,1999 at the Technical Department of Investigation at Cien and Aldabó in Havana where the physician is being detained. Dr. Biscet refused to subject himself to the psychiatric exams in protest of the psychiatric tortures political prisioners have suffered during so many years in said hospital, and denounced that, in the same manner, another human rights activist detained at a peaceful march on November 10, 1999, Eduardo Fleitas, had also been taken that morning to Mazorra to undergo psychiatric tests. Biscet was returned by Cuban authorities to the DTI at Cien and Aldabó.
The lawyer, Hernandez Ramos, pointed out that in his interview he found his client in good health: calm, strong, and in high spirits. Dr. Biscet informed his lawyer he held steadfast to his demands of justice and would continue to do so until Cuba became free, and asked all men and women of good will to do the same, particularly at this moment. He also communicated his gratitude to all those concerned for his well-being.
Hernandez Ramos was unable to review his client's case since Biscet had not provided the authorities any statements regarding his accusation of "insult to the motherland", and, apparently, the political police showed no interest in proving said crime. Yet, according to the interrogatories, Cuban authorities have tried to link Dr. Biscet to the Cuban American National Foundation. The human rights activist declared that he has always accepted solidarity from any organization in exile but does not answer to any one in particular and that he struggles for the oppressed people of Cuba. Also, Dr. Biscet informed his lawyer he was being pressured to leave Cuba, to which the physician reiterated that he would never abandon his country.
We make the present Cuban government responsible for the physical and mental well-being of Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet González . We ask all men and women of good will, world health organizations, human rights organizations, the international press, and dignataries of all democratic nations, to show their solidarity denouncing the case of this Cuban physician, human rights defender, whose life is presently in danger.
* For documented proof of psychiatric abuses contact
Dr. Rigoberto
Rodríguez,
President South Florida Psychiatric Association at :
( 305 ) 670-0332 ( Office)
Comité de Apoyo a la Fundación Lawton *
Support
Committee for the Lawton
Foundation
Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet President of the Lawton Foundation for Human
Rights
Miami, U.S.A. ( 305 ) 223-9703 * ( 305 ) 265-9885