Dying hunger striker Guillermo Farinas has rejected an offer by the Spanish government to be transported to Spain. This offer came over a month after his hunger strike, a protest towards the mistreatment of Cuban political prisoners. Farinas has refused both food and liquids since his protest began, and has collapsed twice. The Cuban government had allegedly asked the Spanish government to extend the offer, fearing the consequences of another death. Farinas' hunger strike began after the death of Orlando Zapata Tomayo, who perished after an 85 day hunger strike protesting the treatment of prison inmates. Zapata's death was followed by the international condemnation of Cuba, who now is doing all they can to prevent a like incident with Farinas.
I found this article to be particularly interesting for two reasons. For one, it discusses the effects of one country's actions on it's relationship with the international community. Cuba's condemnation after the death of Zapata shows that countries are held accountable for their actions towards individuals. I also found this story interesting because it incorporates a personal aspect into an international issue. Although one of the larger themes of the article is Cuba's diminishing relationship with the international stories, the article also discusses the personal journey of Farinas. Although we talk a lot about political theory in class, I feel that we haven't really discussed the effect of politics on individuals and their willingness to sacrifice for change. Farinas, for example, is willing to give up his life in order to change the behavior of the Cuban government. I think that this sacrifice is also indicative of the role played by the government; if a man is willing to give up his life to change the government, then there is probably something fundamentally wrong with the way they conduct business.
Very interesting piece, Lora Marie. I'm wondering, are hunger strikers in Cuba being force-fed, or are they allowed to die? This is an ongoing controversy. When IRA prisoners in North Ireland when on hunger strikes in the 1980s, they were allowed to die, and subsequently became martyrs for their cause (Bobby Sands, a leader of the hunger strikes who died in prison, was elected a member of parliament). In Guantanamo Bay, detainees who go on hunger strikes are force-fed.
ReplyDeleteSpain's involvement is particularly interesting. Spain has a special relationship to Cuba, being its former colonial ruler. Spain was also involve in Chilean politics, as a Spanish judge extradited Pinochet from the UK to stand trial for torture committed in Chile in the 1980s. Several Bush administration officials are also under indictment in Spain for torture as well, a crime that, under international law, can be prosecuted anywhere.
A bit off topic, but I think helps to put Spain's involvement in perspective.