Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet - Martyr of Freedom

Born in Havana, Cuba on July 20th, 1961.

He specialized in internal medicine and he is married to Elsa Morejon, a nurse by profession.

They have two children, Winnie and Yan.

At the end of the 80s he protested against the Cuban communist regime.

In 1994 the Cuban authorities accused and prosecuted him for being "dangerous."

In 1997, in collaboration with other members of the peaceful opposition movement, Dr. Biscet established the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights.

THE FASTING OF TAMARIND

On June 7th 1999, he began a hunger strike. During forty days he only drank only liquids in order to demand the release of all the political prisoners and to attract the attention against the violation of human rights in Cuba.

Thousands of Cubans rallied in 54 sites of fasting, as well their compatriots in exile around the world whp also joined the fast in solidarity. Members of the international press covered the event and foreign diplomats visited the small apartment at Tamarindo 34 in Havana.

At the end of the fasting, he reassured his choice of non-violence and claimed to have acquired the ability to love his enemies, replacing violence, anger, revenge and hatred for justice and forgiveness.

After 26 arrests suffered during a period of 18 months and being subject of degrading tortures with the objective of demolishing his mood ....

THEY DID NOT MANAGE

Has declared himself as follower of the philosophy of non-violence of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Has been physically and psychologically abused, suffering beatings, threats, humiliation, blackmail, intimidation, interrogation and imprisonment in individual cells with common criminals and mentally affected people. . On several occasions, the State Security has subjected him to psychiatric examinations in Mazorra (the psychiatric hospital in Havana) and has been pushed to leave Cuba, to which he has responded that he will never leave his country.

He was arrested and judged in trial in March 2003 and sentenced to 25 years!!

International Amnesty considers him a as aprisoner of conscience, detained only for being peacefully exercising fundamental liberties and  the ask for his immediate and unconditional release.

He Is serving his sentence in subhuman conditions:

• He has been punished repeatedly  in sealed cells.
• He has been detained in an underground cell during months.
• Over long periods, he has remained isolates and without allowing family visits.

Isolation cell as described by Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet in an illegal letter obtained from the prison by his wife (Kilo 5 ½ prison in Pinar del Rio province of Cuba).

STATE OF HIS HEALTH ...

• Essential arterial Hipertesión Grade II. Gastroduodenal ulcer. Lumbar scoliosis and generalized osteoarthrosis.
• Chronic oral sepsis. Oral abscesses and painful inflammatory episodes. Has lost about 15 teeth.
• Very significative weight .
• He refuses to receive medical assistance by military doctors as he does not trust if they will follow the codes of medical ethics.

Firm in his demands for justice until Cuba achieves freedom , Dr. Biscet is in good state of mind and spirit despite of the abuse to which it is subjected.

On a visit to the prison by his mother, he sent a message to his wife Elsa, asking that his Cuban brothers and sisters on the island , and the Cubans in exile,  join in prayer with the international community for the freedom of all  the political prisoners and for the  freedom of expression in Cuba.