To whom it may concern
Dear Sir/Madam:
It is with the greatest of respect that I address myself to the entities of the Barbados Government which are currently responsible for my present incarceration at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds, St. Philip. The entities are namely:
- The Attorney General’s Office
- The Immigration Department
- The Barbados Prison Service
I would also like to include in this Communique the Government of the Republic of Cuba, or any government, body entity or person that may sympathize, empathize, or in any other way take an interest in bringing this matter to a successful and satisfactory conclusion.
On the 11th. Day of March 2010, I Raúl García of Cuban Nationality completed a twenty (20) year sentence of imprisonment at Her Majesty’s Prisons. Upon my release, I was placed in the custody of the Immigration Department for deportation. However, because of the form of past laws in the Cuban Government, they denied my repatriation, such that, I ended up being held at the Grantley Adams International Airport as a detainee for nine (9) months.
After this prolonged period, I was returned to Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds, St. Philip without being charged or sentenced, far less, by any order of the Courts of Barbados. To date, I have spent a total of twenty-two (22) months imprisoned after I should have been a free man.
It must be stated that while I was held as a detainee by the Immigration Department (and this is not to be desired), the treatment meted out to me differed vastly from that to which I am now being subjected.
Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds is a maximum security facility, and as such, there is no differentiation or consideration for persons being kept there. In essence, I am treated the same as any other prisoner who has been sentenced by the Courts of Barbados for an offence, or as prisoners on remand pending court matters.
I wish to further add that my case is not a unique or unprecedented one. They were two instances which closely parallel my situation. These are Sotero vs the Queen and a group of Africans vs the Queen which resulted in these persons being released into the society until their matters could be decided.
It might also be noted that while those persons were unknown quantities, a report has been submitted by Her majesty’s Prisons in respect of me, outlining my conduct while in prison and any rehabilitation programme that I would have attended.
This report has clearly shown that I have never contravened or engaged myself in any conduct contrary to the good governance of Her Majesty’s Prisons, Barbados in the fifteen that I served. Also, through my work programme, I was able to become an artist of note, to the extent that I have won Gold Medals in the Island’s Premier (showcasing of talent) NIFCA (annual) competition.
During this time I was also allowed, due to my classification from Her Majesty’s Prisons, to show, explain and sell art of this event and of any others that would have arisen (Holetown Festival, Barbados Labour Party Annual Conference etc.).
Now, as a result of my being under the total rigors of a maximum security prison with the said consideration and treatments; placed under the same conditions as any other prisoner who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment including life or Queen’s Pleasure; unrecognized as an Immigration Detainee; unable to even receive proper medical attention for my heart condition; imprisoned indefinitely, which is to be decided by the Government of Barbados and not the Law Courts; and because there is no humane consideration towards reunion with my children, very old parents that have been waiting for seventeen (17) years for my release, and the rest of my family; and because the opportunity for me to be free again and continue my roles as father, son and husband has been denied:
Today the 17th. of January in the year 2012, I Raúl García declare myself in Hunger Strike!
This state of affairs will continue until a solution is found for my plight, or my death occurs… My objective is to gain my freedom, but the discrimination, lack of consideration and indolence that has been demonstrated by the Government in every respect of this matter have carved in my heart an end to my hope, faith and beliefs that this situation is being dealt with genuineness.
I have come to the conclusion that this matter has become a personal vendetta against me for the illegal act that occurred seventeen (17) years ago, which I fully paid for with seventeen (17) years of imprisonment, making it now two (2) years over what the Courts of Barbados had stipulated that I should serve.
At this juncture I would have it noted that under no conditions do I intend to resort to any rebellious behavior with the use of violence or resentment, much less disobedience of any kind to the authorities of Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds. Also, that I will under no circumstances opt in any way to terminate my life by suicide. My determination in this instance is to stop ingesting anything of food, drink or anything of a nourishing nature until and not before my problem is resolved, or, my death ensues.
If any member of the relevant ministries feels that my death is preferable, then that shall be my fate. It will be the decision of the government to cause my death and not me myself, for at the end and everything is taken into account, I am subjected to conditions that leave me alive but yet dead. However, I appeal to the relevant Ministries and Departments of the Barbados and Cuban Government and any other Government, Body Entity or Person to render me any and all assistance they can, because I have pursued all avenues that were open to me in this final effort to have my plight recognized and resolved.
I thank you in advance for any assistance rendered.
Sincerely yours,
Raul Garcia
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