URGENT ACTION FOR GERARDO HERNANDEZ - PLEASE ACT NOW
News from Cuba | Sunday, 1 August 2010
[Gerardo released from 'hole' on 03/08/201 thanks to public response to this appeal]
Gerardo Hernandez, one of the Miami 5 imprisoned in the US for fighting terrorism, is suffering under another punishment from the US government.
Since 21 July, Gerardo has been held in the ‘hole’ - a windowless cell of 7x3 feet which he shares with another prisoner, with little ventilation and reaching temperatures of 95 degrees.
He is unable to take a shower and is taken outside in a cage for just one hour every other day.
Not only is this cruel punishment being imposed without explanation, and preventing Gerardo from seeing his lawyers at a crucial stage in his preparation for Habeas Corpus, but it has also been imposed while Gerardo is experiencing health problems.
In April Gerardo requested a medical appointment for medical conditions developed while in prison, including high blood pressure. Three months later, on 20 July 2010 he was seen by a doctor. The doctor prescribed a blood test for a bacterium which is circulating throughout the prison, but instead, the following day, 21 July 2010, Gerardo was put in the hole.
This is the third time in Gerardo’s twelve years in prison that he has been placed in the hole while preparing for an appeal. He is currently unable to see or have any contact with this legal team while under this inhumane treatment.
This inhumane punishment is another in the repeated violations of his human rights while in USP Victorville in California. For twelve years, the US government has denied him the basic right to receive visits from his wife Adriana.
Please take urgent action on behalf of Gerardo today. Please, write, email or fax the three contacts below today and demand that Gerardo be:
? Returned immediately to the general population
? Receive urgent medical attention
? Allowed visits by his wife Adriana Perez
? Given space and respect as he prepares for his appeals
(If you prefer please use the sample letter below)
1.
US State Department
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax Number: 1-202-647-2283
.........................
2.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Director Harley G. Lappin
320 First St., NW, Washington, DC 20534
E-mail: info@bop.gov
.........................
3.
US Justice Department
Attorney General Eric Holder
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Email: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
.........................
Please feel free to write in your own words or use the sample letter below.
Dear [insert relevant name]
I am writing to you with urgent concern for Gerardo Hernandez who is serving a double life sentence in USP Victorville. I understand that he has been confined to the hole since 21 July 2010 and I am deeply concerned that he has not received adequate medical care for his health problems or the blood test prescribed by the prison doctor on 20 July 2010.
Gerardo is also currently preparing for Habeas Corpus with his lawyers and while held under these conditions he has been denied contact with them during this vital stage in his appeal.
I urge the authorities to ensure that Gerardo Hernandez be:
? Returned immediately to the general prison population
? Receive urgent medical attention
? Allowed visits by his wife Adriana Perez
? Given space and respect as he prepares for his appeals
I believe the US government and prison authorities hold responsibility for the life and physical wellbeing of Gerardo Hernandez and I sincerely hope swift action will be taken.
Thank you for giving this matter your urgent attention, I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS ACTION - PLEASE FORWARD IT AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE.
