Main Category: Public Health News
Article Date: 06 Nov 2007 - 13:00 PST
The World Medical Association has congratulated Dr. Oscar Biscet on his
award from President Bush of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
recognition of his advocacy efforts for human rights and democracy in Cuba.
Dr. Biscet is serving a twenty-five year prison sentence in Cuba for
allegedly committing crimes against the sovereignty and the integrity of
the Cuban territory. He was sentenced in 2003, in a crackdown on human
rights activists across the island.
Dr. Otmar Kloiber, secretary general of the WMA, said: 'Dr. Biscet is a
physician and a noted advocate for human rights and democratic freedoms
in Cuba , his native country. Despite appeals from the United Nations,
foreign governments, and international human rights organizations, Cuba
has refused to release him. Amnesty International and other
organizations consider Dr. Biscet, who also heads the Lawton Foundation
for Human Rights, a prisoner of conscience.
'He represents the highest ideals of medical ethics and human rights
among physicians and we congratulate him on his award.'
Dr. Biscet was first arrested in 1999 and imprisoned for three years on
charges of "disrespecting patriotic symbols", including hanging a Cuban
flag upside down during a news conference. He was then arrested again in
2002 and was one of the 75 dissidents imprisoned in 2003 by the Cuban
authorities. He was given a 25 year sentence for "disorderly conduct"
and "counter-revolutionary activities".
The World Medical Association is the independent confederation of
national medical associations from more than 80 countries and represents
more than eight million physicians. Acting on behalf of patients and
physicians, the WMA endeavours to achieve the highest possible standards
of medical care, ethics, education and health-related human rights for
all people.
No comments:
Post a Comment