REPORT FROM VIEQUES: TRIBUNAL CONDEMNS U.S CRIMES IN PUERTO RICO
By Berta Joubert-Ceci
Vieques, Puerto Rico
November 30, 2000--From Nov. 17 to Nov. 21 an "International Tribunal on Violations of Human Rights in Puerto Rico and Vieques" was held on the small island of Vieques. It was called by the Committee on Human Rights.
For two days, Nov. 18-19, in a packed room at the Museum "Fortin Mirasol," jurists and human-rights leaders from around the world, along with the general public, heard powerful and often moving testimony from witnesses.
The Tribunal, through five lawyers representing the people of Puerto Rico, charged the United States with: 1. violation of the right to self-determination and independence; 2. repression, persecution and imprisonment of the opponents of the colonial policy of the U.S.; 3. violations of the human rights of the people of Vieques, this being equal to genocide.
Also: 4. increasing the militarization of Puerto Rico in violation of international law and world public opinion; 5. the economic domination, exploitation and dependence on the U.S. that prevents the development of a viable Puerto Rican economy; 6. displacement of the population; 7. general destruction of the environment; 8. crimes against women and their reproductive rights; and 9. crimes against the language and culture of Puerto Ricans.
Testimony was delivered by expert witnesses who experienced first-hand oppression, repression and exploitation by U.S. colonialism and imperialism.
These witnesses included Alicia Rodriguez and Eliazam Escobar, two of the 11 former political prisoners freed last year thanks to the growing movement on their behalf in Puerto Rico and internationally.
The Tribunal marked the first time since their freedom that seven of the former prisoners were together in one room. Because of the onerous conditions imposed on their release, they could not be seated together.
LOLITA LEBRÓN: 'I AM VERY PROUD'
That first day of testimony was filled with national sentiment and pride, both from the witnesses and from those Puerto Ricans who were listening to them, people of all ages who felt proud for the acts of courage of the witnesses.
The audience was moved to tears when Juan Mari Bras, a longtime independence leader, recalled the political murder of his son Santiago Mari Pesquera in 1976. They rose to their feet with applause for Lolita Lebron, who was jailed for 25 years for her participation in an attack on the U.S. Congress.
Lebron said at the end of her deposition: "I had the honor of leading the act against the U.S. Congress on March 1, 1954, when we demanded freedom for Puerto Rico and we told the world that we are an invaded nation, occupied and abused by the United States of America. I feel very proud of having performed my duty, of having answered the call of the motherland."
The next day was equally charged. Witnesses testified on the environment, crimes against women, attacks to the language and culture, and the situation of Vieques.
U.S. GUILTY OF 'SYSTEMATIC VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS'
On Nov. 21, the Tribunal judges issued their final statement.
They concluded that "the United States has committed systematic violations of human rights regarding Puerto Rico's right to self-determination; has persecuted opponents to United States colonial policies; has increased militarization on the islands and, thereby, threatened peace in the region; has continued the economic exploitation; has forced the displacement of much of the population of Vieques; has caused the economic and political repression of Puerto Ricans in the Diaspora; has caused a general degradation of the environment; has committed abuses against women and against the cultural rights of the population.
This Tribunal urges that the United States of America take the following steps without any further delay:
"1. Transfer all sovereign powers to the People of Puerto Rico, without any conditions or reservations.
"2. Release the remaining political prisoners and cease all forms of repression against those working against colonialism.
"3. Take immediate steps to end the military exploitation and colonial oppression of the people of Puerto Rico, including the immediate cessation of bombing in and around Vieques and the removal of all military installations from the territory of Puerto Rico.
"4. Redress all damages caused to the natural wealth and resources of Puerto Rico and Vieques, caused by the military activities of the United States, and provide for full reparations for the injuries caused to the people of Vieques, and the damage to their environment, including all measures for the complete decontamination of the island and surrounding air and waters, and for the economic recovery and development of the island.
"Only in this manner will the People of Puerto Rico be in a situation to fully exercise their right to self- determination and freely pursue their economic social and cultural development," the Tribunal judges concluded.