Released and free to stay in Cuba
On 11 March, Dr Oscar Biscet was released early, after serving seventeen years of a 25-year sentence and was reunited in Havana with his wife, Elsa. Furthermore, he has been allowed to remain in Cuba, which was previously thought unlikely. CSW celebrates this news and remains in touch with the family.
As part of a release-and-exile deal in July 2010, Cuba offered to free 52 prisoners of conscience on condition that they leave Cuba. Many accepted this deal and were exiled to Spain and other third countries. However, Dr Biscet refused to leave Cuba, declaring that he wanted to stay with the people of the Caribbean island. Now, several months on from the original deal, Dr Biscet has been released and allowed to remain in the country. His release marks an encouraging step forward for the realisation of religious freedom and human rights in Cuba.
Case background: doctor, campaigner, prisoner
A committed Christian, medical professional and founder of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights, Dr Oscar Biscet was arrested on 6 December 2002. He was charged with 'disrupting public order and disobedience' and was later sentenced to 25 years in prison. This arrest and incarceration came a little over a month after his release from completing a three-year term for marching in support of human rights and freedom for political prisoners.
While in prison, Dr Biscet suffered solitary confinement and was denied access to his Pastor and other visitors on numerous occasions. He was at times prohibited from access to reading materials including his Bible, as a form of punishment, as well as effective medical treatment. His wife has stated that he was in extremely poor health, but from letters he managed to smuggle out of the prison, he appeared to be mentally and emotionally strong.
CSW's lobbying kept pressure on Cuba
CSW was involved in maintaining pressure on Cuba through lobbying the European Union last summer and autumn, after the 52-person exile deal was struck. It is suspected that the Cuban Government was making a token gesture without addressing the serious underlying human rights abuses and lack of religious freedom. CSW continues to stay in touch with and speak up for Cubans campaigning for greater religious freedom on the island.
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As well as your prayers, you can practically support Cuban Christians through Freedom Gifts. For just £15, you can pay for CSW staff to have a 15 minute phone call with pastors and families suffering persecution in Cuba. These calls are a vital lifeline of encouragement and support for them, as well as providing first-hand information to CSW, underpinning our advocacy work. Find out how to buy a Freedom Gift here: http://csw.org.uk/gifts/index.php?route=product/product&path=40&product_id=67
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