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.