We want them home now
Amaya Saborit Alfonso
Yesterday, June 25, an online forum took place in
the Ministry of Foreign Relations, in support of the
release of the Cuban Five and in the context of
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
celebrated June 26. The forum gave internet users
from all over the world the opportunity to learn
more about the case of the Cuban Five.
Under the
title “We want them home now” the objective of the
forum was to inform the world about the
psychological and inhuman torture suffered by the
Cuban Five - Decorated Heroes of the Republic - and
their families, and amplify the call for their
release.
Graciela
Ramírez, coordinator of the International Committee
for the Freedom of the Cuban Five, discussed the
concept of torture, and how 16 years of unjust
incarceration can be seen as a subtle, perverse and
inhumane form of torture not just for the prisoners
but also for their families.
What is
it like for a person who, in addition to being
innocent, is serving to two life sentences and
therefore condemned to die in prison? What is it
like for a person to be deprived of the affection of
their loved ones? What is it like for a relation,
when they go to visit them, arrive and find the
prison is closed, and have to return home without
having seen their loved one? Is prolonged injustice
not a form of torture? Is it normal, is it
logical...? These were some the questions posed by
participants in relation to Ramírez’s situation.
Ramón’s
daughter and forum panelist, Ailí Labañino, spoke of
her experiences with her father commenting, “We have
been fighting for a loved one for more than half our
life. We have had more experiences in prisons visits
than experiences at home, playing with our father.”
Also
participating in the event was Pablo Odén Marichal,
coordinator of the Cuban Interfaith Platform, who
emphasized that different religious denominations
have united in support for the freedom of the Cuban
Five.
|
