Biscet and Ekrid: doctors for human rights and freedom.
Written by Dr. Antonio Gordon especially for debatecuba.blogspot.esWe review the daily press to keep up-to-date on various issues. One is, of course, dealing with “ONLY ONE PEOPLE,” Cuba and Cubans.

Recently we have joined the call for freedom for all political prisoners, including Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet. Today, almost on the other side of the world, we have seen the abuse that has been committed with another doctor in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The medical team headed by Dr. Sadak Al Ekrid, a prominent orthopedic and trauma specialist of that country, was rendering first aid along the side of a peaceful demonstration. Suddenly, the medical team came under attack. Dr. Ekrid was seriously wounded and taken to his own hospital for acute care. . He is now in his own hospital critically ill, between life and death, in the best medical center in Manama..

A few months ago when Washington was debating what to do with the prisoners at Guantanamo, I was curious to find a place to send prisoners. In part, also because I do not think the U.S. base in Cuba should be used as a prison. The Cubans who leased "temporarily" the base in 1934 to the US did not have that in mind. After looking at many places in my atlases, I concluded that the Kingdom of Bahrain could easily accommodate prisoners because of its size and safety profile. Further, I thougt the new prison could be located to the south of the town of Awali.

But we live in extraordinary times. The Arab world has been swept by a wave of freedom that neither originated in Europe or the United States. The people, responding to the current living conditions and feeling ignored by those in power as dictators or monarchs, took to the streets and squares attesting to their willingness to be agents of their own future.

Thomas Jefferson was right when he said that people who are afraid of their leaders live in a dictatorship. And when he said that there is freedom in countries where the government fears its people he was also right. And now we have seen how President Obama and Secreatry of State Clinton have pledged the leadership and prestige of the United States with those peoples peacefully demanding freedom, respect for human rights and democracy. Congratulations "America."

Returning to our Cuba, we appreciate the efforts that have achieved the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and applaud the demonstrations for human rights and freedon for political prisoners in the island. However, the people of Cuba still need to rid themselves of the paralyzing fear that has reigned in the island for over 50 years of military rule. The people must demonstrate and rise up making evidently clear to all their great desire for freedom, human rights, respect for the rule of law, consensus building and the politics of tolerance with mutual respect.
For now, Dr. Biscet is in a Cuban prison and Dr. Ekrid is in critical condition at a hospital in the Persian Gulf after being shot by military forces of his country. Both represent the best of the medical profession in the great battle between good and evil.