Uncommon Sense

Biscet welcomes support

Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, Cuba's most famous black political prisoner, has a message for the black American scholars, artists and professionals who signed a letter protesting racism in Cuba:

"Thank you."

If Cuban State Security doesn't like it, it has to be good

Dr. Darsi Ferrer

The Cuban secret police has endorsed demonstrations planned to commemorate International Human Rights Day on Thursday, Dec. 10, which take on an added urgency this year because of the leader of such marches in prior years, human rights activist Dr. Darsi Ferrer, is currently in jail.

Well, of course, not exactly.

But with its thuggish behavior against one of Ferrer's friends, Pedro Moisés Calderín Tápanes, Cuban State Security illustrated why it is vital that supporters of Cuban liberty, and of Dr. Ferrer, pick up his banner and protest the human rights situation on the island, and demand CAMBIO.

Independent journalist Jaime Leygonier reports that state security earlier this week summoned him to a Havana police station to threaten him because of his friendship with Ferrer's family, and to warn him to not attend a human rights rally on Dec. 10.

Dr. Ferrer has been in jail since July 21 because of his human rights work, which has included leading since 2005 peaceful marches protesting human rights conditions on the island. In previous years, the dictatorship responded by sending out its goons to attack Ferrer, his wife and the other marchers.

This year, the dictatorship went with a preemptive strike against Ferrer, and is now targeting his friends and allies and warning them to stay at home.

Which is why it is even more important than ever to follow Ferrer's example and to demand that the human rights of all Cubans be respected, and to ensure that Ferrer's suffering in prison is not in vain.

Thank you, state security, for the reminder.

For information on blogburst/blogacción planned for Dec. 10 to show support for Cuban rights and to demand Dr. Ferrer's immediate release from prison, and how you can participate, go here.

Obama's ex-pastor doesn't like Cuba, either

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright caused quite the tempest during the 2008 presidential campaign when videos popped up of Wright, Barack Obama's former pastor, condemning America for all its sins, real and imagined.

Wright has now turned his attention to Cuba, and he doesn't like what he sees.

Wright is one of 60 prominent black American scholars, artists and professionals who have signed a "Statement of Conscience by African-Americans" condemning the Castro dictatorship's crackdown on Cuban dissidents, many of whom are black. Among the specific complaints, the group called for the immediate release from prison of Cuban human rights activist Dr. Darsi Ferrer.

Fidel Castro and his regime had long been a favored cause of many prominent black Americans, like the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Wright, who traveled to Cuba with Jackson in 1984, a visit punctuated by Jackson's cries during a speech of, "Viva Fidel!" and "Viva Ché Guevara!"

But there's apparently been a change among Wright and other black American leaders.

Scholar Carlos Moore tries to explain why:

Changing demographics in America and the election of a black U.S. president, seem to have spurred African-American curiosity about the fate of Afro-Latins south of the border. Through that process, many U.S. blacks have realized that Castro, once admired for thumbing his nose at America, is now an 82-year-old dictator, struggling to prolong five decades of absolute power through terror and policies that deepen racial inequalities in Cuba.

Victoria Ruiz, U.S. representative of the island-wide civil rights group, Citizens Committee for Racial Integration, says Cuba's black movement — vigorously suppressed in the 1960s, at the early stage of the revolution — resurrected in the 1990s. She complains that young, black Cubans suffer aggressive racial profiling by police. She claims that about 70 percent of Afro-Cubans are believed to be unemployed, a staggering figure by any standard.  And 85 percent of Cuba's jail population is estimated to be black, Ruiz reports.

I usually don't make note of the race of the political prisoners and other dissidents I profile here. What matters to me is that they are Cuban.

But there is no ignoring the fact that some of the most prominent, most eloquent, most courageous freedom fighters are black.

Activists like Jorge Luis Perez Garcia "Antunez," and his wife Iris.

The independent journalist Guillermo Fariñas.

The political prisoner Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet.

And Dr. Ferrer, who has been unjustly jailed since July 21 because of his efforts to expose the sad realities of Cuban society.*

These Cubans, and thousands of others like them — black, white and mixed — are waging a brave struggle against enormous odds to challenge the tyranny that enslaves their nation and to build a better Cuba. Their race matters only that it makes them twice the victim.

Theirs is a cause with which black Americans should identify, and support. Hopefully, "the statement of conscience" released this week is the first of many such acts of solidarity by black American leaders.

Jeremiah Wright's rants about America may have raised questions about his character, and that of his famous ex-parishonner.

He may not deserve absolution for that, but with this display of conscience, Wright is, at least for now, on the right side.

Read the whole statement, here.

Read the Miami Herald story, here.

(*For more information on how to join an Internet-based campaign demanding the release of Dr. Ferrer, go here.)

Cuban political prisoner Oscar Elias Biscet announces human rights campaign

Cuban prisoner of conscience Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet is calling on all Cubans, on and off the island, to join an international campaign set for next month to demand that the Castro dictatorship respect human rights.

The campaign will start Dec. 5, when several rallies are planned in locations around the world, and culminate on Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

Speaking with a strong, almost relaxed voice from Combinado del Este prison in Havana, Biscet said the campaign is a "spiritual" and "intellectual" effort for the world to hold the Cuban government accountable for how it treats the Cuban people. (Although he suffers from some chronic medical problems, Biscet said his health is currently OK.)

You can listen to Biscet's statement at Radio Marti.

One way you can show your support is by joining a Dec. 10 blogburst/blogaccion on behalf of Biscet's fellow imprisoned physician, Dr. Darsi Ferrer, who has led previous International Human Rights Day to highlight Cuba's atrocious human rights record, but this year is likely to be in jail. For details on how to participate, read this.

Amnesty International on Cuban prisoners of conscience

A multi-lingual plea for their release:

Cuban dictatorship is afraid of Dr. Darsi Ferrer

If Dr. Darsi Ferrer is really in jail because he bought some construction materials on the Cuban black market, then why have officials at the Valle Grande prison blocked him from receiving a letter from a Brazilian civil rights activist and confiscated medicines and other items he needs for himself and to treat other prisoners?

Why is the Castro dictatorship so afraid of this man?

I think it has something to do with this.

Want to give the dictatorship good reason to be afraid of Dr. Ferrer?

Consider doing this, on his behalf, on Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

Cuba dissidents rally for political prisoner Darsi Ferrer

Dissidents rally for Dr. Ferrer. (Photo: Ainí Martín Valero)

A group of Cuban dissidents gathered recently to rally for the release of human rights activist Dr. Darsi Ferrer, who has been unjustly imprisoned since July 21, according to independent journalist Ainí Martín Valero.

Ferrer has yet to face a court hearing on trumped-up charges he purchased construction materials on the black market. His wife and others have argued that Ferrer is, in fact, being punished because of long-standing activism against the Castro dictatorship.

"We all know he was imprisoned because of his opposition to the Cuban government," said activist Deisy Lazara Suárez. "No one should be a prisoner for speaking the truth and defending his country."

In a letter distributed this week, Ferrer writes it appears unlikely he will be able to lead demonstrations Dec. 10 to commemorate International Human Rights Day, as he has done in previous years.

However, you do have a chance to pick up Ferrer's banner to ensure his cries for human rights in Cuba are heard. Read this for more information about a blogburst/blogaccion being planned on his behalf for Dec. 10.

The continued torture of Cuban political prisoner Mario Pérez

Cuban health care has nothing to offer Cuba's political prisoners. In fact, Cuban health care — or better put, the denying of Cuban health care — is one of the weapons the Castro dictatorship uses to torture those citizens, like political prisoner Mario Alberto Pérez Aguilera, in jail because of their opposition to the regime.

Pérez currently is languishing in the Agüica prison in Matanzas, his health poor after numerous hunger strikes to demand basic human rights — like adequate health care. His sister, the human rights activist Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, told Radio Martí she has not been able to visit her Mario, but she heard second-hand that his right lung recently quit functioning.

She implored prison officials to transfer her brother to a hospital so he can receive the care he needs.

Unfortunately, even if he is moved, it would only change the venue for the continued torture of Mario Alberto Pérez Aguilera.

Dr. Darsi Ferrer on International Human Rights Day (UPDATED)

From prison, Cuban political prisoner Dr. Darsi Ferrer writes on International Human Rights Day. (I received this via e-mail this morning. I could use help with translation; you can e-mail me or post as comment. UPDATED, 5:30 p.m. --- Babalu has a translation.)

“Celebración del Día Internacional de los Derechos Humanos”

Por Dr. Darsi Ferrer Ramírez, preso de conciencia.

La Habana, Cuba. 20 de noviembre de 2009.

  La adopción de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (O.N.U.), el día 10 de diciembre de 1948, representó un hecho de transcendental importancia para la humanidad. El documento consignó el compromiso asumido por las naciones firmantes, en el reconocimiento y la protección de los derechos fundamentales e inherentes a todas las personas, sin distinción por motivos de género, edad, raza o color de la piel, opinión política, creencia religiosa, status socioeconómico u otros.

Activistas de la sociedad civil cubana conmemoran la magna fecha con una marcha pacífica, que ya es tradicional desde el 2006. La cita tienen lugar los 10 de diciembre a las 11:00 de la mañana, en el parque Villalón ubicado en Calzada entre D y E, en el barrio del Vedado, en La Habana. La actividad consiste en caminar en silencio, sin consignas ni proclamas, con el propósito de promover el respeto a las libertades y derechos de todos los seres humanos.

En las tres ocasiones que se han realizado las Marchas pacíficas la seguridad del estado ha reprimido esa actividad violentamente, mediante la utilización de turbas paramilitares y policías vestidos de civil, que han agredido con impunidad a los indefensos activistas pro-democracia. Tal actitud demuestra el menosprecio del gobierno por los compromisos contraídos por la nación cubana, en su condición de nación signataria de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos, además de miembro del Consejo de los Derechos Humanos de la ONU y firmante desde el 2007, pendiente de ratificación, de los Pactos de Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas.

Aunque no podré asistir este año, al encontrarme preso de modo injusto por mis ideas políticas y la labor que desarrollo en defensa de los derechos civiles, invito nuevamente a Todos los cubanos, sin distinción, a que se sumen el próximo 10 de diciembre a la celebración del Día Internacional de los Derechos Humanos, participando en la Tradicional Marcha pacífica que ha de realizarse en el parque Villalón. Mi invitación se fundamenta en el principio de que los derechos humanos no son privilegios que otorgan los gobiernos, sino que se adquieren con el nacimiento y constituyen el cimiento de la dignidad de las personas, la función de los gobiernos debe ser la implementación de políticas que permitan el ejercicio de esos derechos.A los líderes de las organizaciones y demás miembros de la sociedad civil en Cuba, los llamo a superar las diferencias que puedan existir y a que juntos sean los protagonistas que garanticen la realización de la Marcha, para de modo simbólico exigir el respeto a las libertades y derechos elementales de todos los ciudadanos. Le pido a los cubanos del exilio que planifiquen acciones ese día en apoyo a la actividad del parque Villalón. Convoco a los Internautas a que contribuyan en la medida que le sea posible. Invito a los representantes del cuerpo diplomático y a los profesionales de la prensa extrajera acreditados en el país, a ser acto de presencia en el lugar de la actividad, para que puedan monitorear de modo directo lo que suceda en ese día.

On Cuba debate, please remember the Cubans

Today was a busy day in Washington when it comes to Cuba, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing testimony on whether the United States should lift limits on Americans' ability to travel to the island, including for tourism. Nothing was decided, and as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated, nothing will be decided anytime soon. Still, it was good that Bertha Antúnez got to state her case, and so did Yoani Sanchez.

Meanwhile, on the island, the repression continues, from neighborhood streets to ferry crossings, from the beaches so many tourists long to see, to the prison cells too many want them to ignore.

For example, political prisoner Arnaldo Herrera Campoalegre this month was transferred from the 1580 prison to a "re-education" work camp to complete a 1-year sentence handed down in September after he was convicted of "disrespect." Herrera, according to a story posted at Miscelaneas de Cuba, reported that he was severely punished after he refused to work because of the unjustness of his imprisonment.

"What is happening to me is hard, but under no means am I going to give in on my principles," Herrera said. "Keep up with your work, the end if near."

Of course, the repression extends beyond the Castro gulag, with the secret police harassing, threatening, arresting, etc. those who dare oppose the regime. Some of the biggest targets are independent journalists like Carlos Serpa Maceira and Ainí Martín Valero, who in separate incidents this month were arrested and detained because of their vocation as journalists.

Catch. Threaten. Release. In Cuba, there may be no biggest "counter-revolutionary" fish for the secret police to pursue than journalists with the courage to bear witness to the reality of Cuba and to report it to the world.

Today was a dramatic day on Capitol Hill, with important discussions and testimony about what the United States should do about Cuba.

But what is most important to remember is that while American politicians bluster and posture about Cuba, there are brave Cubans demonstrating what it means to be really free.

They do not need American tourism, but they do need, and deserve, your support.