Background (Preamble):
I would like to bring to your attention the case of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, an imprisoned Cuban and human rights advocate. On a hunger strike since December 3, 2009, for purely requesting some of his most basic human rights, it appears Zapata Tamayo is on the brink of death, and we are requesting he receive the best medical attention possible immediately.
I am deeply concerned by recent reports of the substandard conditions of medical attention that Zapata Tamayo has received, as well as the conditions of his detention. He was reportedly deprived of water for 16 days by prison officials.
I strongly urge you to order the release of Orlando Zapata Tamayo and all other individuals who have been arrested and convicted on the basis of their peaceful political activities and their efforts to promote and protect basic human rights in Cuba.
According to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which Cuba actively participated in drafting and passing, all persons have the right to effective access to participation in the government of their country and in the conduct of public affairs. The Declaration also provides that everyone has the right "freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms." The important work of Cuban human rights defenders should be recognized by the government and they should be supported rather than persecuted.
While they remain in detention, I urge you to ensure that Orlando Zapata Tamayo is not subjected to further abuse and that his conditions of detention meet basic international standards. International human rights law requires that all persons held in detention are treated with humanity and dignity and that they are not subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Cuban government should ensure the application of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of all Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, which further elaborate the basic standards to be achieved in ensuring respect for the rights of detainees.
I will continue to monitor these cases closely and appreciate your immediate attention to this important matter.
I would like to bring to your attention the case of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, an imprisoned Cuban and human rights advocate. On a hunger strike since December 3, 2009, for purely requesting some of his most basic human rights, it appears Zapata Tamayo is on the brink of death, and we are requesting he receive the best medical attention possible immediately.
I am deeply concerned by recent reports of the substandard conditions of medical attention that Zapata Tamayo has received, as well as the conditions of his detention. He was reportedly deprived of water for 16 days by prison officials.
I strongly urge you to order the release of Orlando Zapata Tamayo and all other individuals who have been arrested and convicted on the basis of their peaceful political activities and their efforts to promote and protect basic human rights in Cuba.
According to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which Cuba actively participated in drafting and passing, all persons have the right to effective access to participation in the government of their country and in the conduct of public affairs. The Declaration also provides that everyone has the right "freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms." The important work of Cuban human rights defenders should be recognized by the government and they should be supported rather than persecuted.
While they remain in detention, I urge you to ensure that Orlando Zapata Tamayo is not subjected to further abuse and that his conditions of detention meet basic international standards. International human rights law requires that all persons held in detention are treated with humanity and dignity and that they are not subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Cuban government should ensure the application of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of all Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, which further elaborate the basic standards to be achieved in ensuring respect for the rights of detainees.
I will continue to monitor these cases closely and appreciate your immediate attention to this important matter.
Entradas
La Patria tiene un astro nuevo: ¡ORLANDO ZAPATA TAMAYO ha muerto, para vivir su propia libertad!
ResponderSuprimirDebiera tener un astro nuevo,
cuando cae en la patria un hombre
que la defiende"
JOSÉ MARTÍ
Un hombre-astro, papalote dueño de su propia libertad
Todos los cubanos hemos podido corroborar hoy que la vida y los anhelos nacionalistas de Orlando Zapata Tamayo fueron siempre de una vocación patriótica y una valentía impresionante, tanto como los del personaje Martino, en el drama indio "Patria y Libertad" (1877), de nuestro José Martí:
Pues él, como el quetzal, al enjaularlo,
muere en la jaula, de dolor y pena.
Martino ansía la muerte una y mil veces
a esclavo ser, sin patria ni bandera.
De ese modo entregó su patriotismo Orlando Zapata Tamayo, en beneficio de la libertad de Cuba. Ni con la muerte pudieron doblegarlo los castristas, porque él prefirió morir como el quetzal, y entregar su alma a la vida eterna por la independencia de su isla, al igual que nuestro Martí, quien siempre consideró que "hay dos vidas, la que se arrastra, y la que se desea", por lo que, no cabe dudas de que Orlando Zapata deseó la única posible, para alcanzar la verdadera dignidad y expresión del ser humano, que es su libertad total. Remedando el mensaje de nuestro Apóstol, puedo decirles hoy que: Un hombre que cae por la patria nueva, como Orlando Zapata Tamayo, es un astro de su infinita libertad.
Banderas a media asta en nuestros corazones, por Orlando Zapata Tamayo, un héroe de la infinita libertad de Cuba.
José Antonio Gutiérrez Caballero
Miami, 23 de febrero del 2010.