Havana, October 15, 1999
Your Excellency:
Respectfully I salute you and express my admiration to you and your people, and join this celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in which your country became free from the communist yoke through a peaceful revolution.
The example of Czechoslovakia has left a deep impression in many Cubans who desire peaceful transition towards democracy and freedom. When I walk through the streets of my neighborhood where small businesses are unable to develop due to high taxation and arbitrary laws dictated by the Castro government, I am reminded of you and the days you lived in your country before 1989. Increasing numbers of people are abandoning the practice of lying to display their inconformity with injustice of a totalitarian regime.
But, what reminds me most of communist Czechoslovakia is the times that we spend in jail, for exercising our freedom of expression. Inside these prisons we suffer physical abuse, torture and humiliation. When I see the faces of those who perform these acts, I remember that the political police of the Soviet and the Czechoslovakian dictatorship trained them.
Today there are many prisoners of conscience in Cuba. Several humanitarian and political organizations have decided to organize a peaceful march on the tenth of November to demand freedom for political prisoners and the repeal of all laws that violate human rights.
We request your support, and together with all men and women committed to all just and humanitarian causes, join in an international campaign in order to achieve the objectives of this march for human rights for Cuba.
As we speak, a group or Cuban dissidents are studying the non-violent thought of Ghandi and yours as well, because we want a peaceful and civilized transition in our country. We are willing to suffer like Jan Palach on behalf of human dignity and freedom in order to give birth to the Third Republic, one based in respect to human rights.
We will succeed because we carry in our hearts the words of King Solomon: “Trust God in everything and with all your heart and do not depend on your prudence. Recognize Him in all your travails and He will straighten your ways, don’t consider your own opinions wise, fear God and avoid evil and it will be medicine for your body and food for your bones.”
I thank God for men like you, Mister President, defenders of liberty and human dignity.
May God bless you,
Sincerely,
Doctor Oscar Elias Biscet
President of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights
Originally posted October 28, 2010
