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The renowned Cuban composer José María Vitier expressed his support on Tuesday for writer and humorist Jorge Fernández Era, following the made by the latter regarding a new episode of harassment and arbitrary detention by State Security in Havana.
"I can find no argument (either legal or ethical) that justifies the treatment you are denouncing. In this case, the fact that we do not know each other personally is irrelevant. Such things should simply not happen to anyone. The right granted by the Law to express opinions (or differences of opinion) peacefully must not be violated (especially not in the name of a Revolution). That is my humble opinion," wrote the pianist and composer in response to the post of the assaulted Cuban intellectual.
Vitier's statement, a key figure in contemporary Cuban music, gives especial weight to the criticisms against the repression faced by dissenting voices on the island and has been widely shared among artists and intellectuals.
The writer Silvia Rodríguez Rivero also responded with a message of solidarity: “I feel deep pain from what I read in your post about the police violence you experienced. We all have the right to express our ideas and to be respected for them. What you describe is unacceptable and has nothing to do with the ethical standards of revolutionary justice that have united this people for so many years,” she stated.
Fernández, in another comment, reproached his fellow journalists and writers for remaining silent in the face of injustice, citing the support received from Vitier and Rodriguez Rivero:
"Dear friends" who read me and do nothing to stop the disgrace against me: are you not ashamed that two Masters who do not know me make the following comments?," he posted, quoting the statements from both personalities.
In his testimony, Fernández Era recounted that he was intercepted by the police and State Security agents at the corner of Santa Emilia and Rabí, forcefully taken in a patrol car, and held for more than six hours.
According to the account, he suffered physical abuse, the confiscation of his identity card, and the charge of an alleged crime of "Resistance."
He also presented evidence of the beating he received, which left him with an injured hand and bloodstained clothing. He was also threatened with death by his oppressors.
The writer, who had already reported another beating in July, described the events as "a form of torture" and warned about the possibility that his missing document could be used to incriminate him in fabricated crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the harassment and detention of Jorge Fernández Era
What did Jorge Fernández Era report about his detention?
Jorge Fernández Era reports that he was a victim of harassment, arbitrary detention, and physical abuse by State Security in Havana. He was intercepted by the police, held for more than six hours, suffered physical mistreatment and death threats. He also presented evidence of the assaults he endured.
What do public figures like José María Vitier think about this case?
José María Vitier expressed his support for Jorge Fernández Era, stating that there is no legal or ethical justification for the treatment he received. He emphasized the right to peacefully express opinions and criticized the repression against dissenting voices in Cuba. Other figures such as Silvia Rodríguez Rivero and Ulises Toirac also expressed their solidarity and rejection of the repression.
Why is Jorge Fernández Era subject to repression in Cuba?
Jorge Fernández Era has been subjected to repression due to his political activism and peaceful protests in Cuba, where he demands the end of the totalitarian regime and respect for civil rights. His civic protest includes sitting silently in Havana's Central Park every 18th, an action that the authorities attempt to silence through detentions and threats.
How has the artistic community reacted to the repression in Cuba?
The Cuban artistic community has reacted with indignation and solidarity towards Jorge Fernández Era and others who have been repressed. Artists like Ulises Toirac and Nelson Gudín have publicly denounced state repression, defending the right to free expression and criticizing the use of violence and censorship by the Cuban regime.
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