Cuban doctor on hunger strike in the Cayman Islands

Cuban doctor on hunger strike in the Cayman Islands
02-06-2006

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: With several changes of clothing, bottled
water, a folding bed and an umbrella, Dr Luis M Luarca, a Cuban refugee,
is currently camped on the lawn of the Government Administration
building in Grand Cayman on a hunger strike.

He began his protest on Monday 30 January and he has a list of demands,
which he hopes will be met before it is too late.

He is asking for monetary compensation from the Cayman Islands Minister
of Health, as well as the position of security officer at the Cayman
Islands Government Hospital; a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, or at
least a promise from the Roman Catholic Church that they will make
arrangements for such a meeting; and that there will be an improvement
in the human rights situation in the Cayman Islands.

“I will do this (stay on hunger strike) until they meet my demands or I
die. I’m doing this for God and His people,” Dr Luarca said. "Don’t get
me wrong, I thank the Cayman Islands and its people for the opportunity
it has given me but there is the need for improvement.”

Arriving in the Cayman Islands by boat in 1994, Dr Luarca had practised
medicine in Cuba for 10 years prior to his arrival. He said that he has
faced discrimination because of his nationality. He noted that as a
refugee he has the right to work without a work permit.

He said that he has applied to the airport and hospital for the position
of security officer and on both occasions, he was turned down. “It was
given to someone who is less qualified for the job. I have four years
experience and good recommendations,” he pointed out.

Dr Luarca said that he could not get a job in the medical field, as his
degree in medicine is not recognised in Cayman.

“Now I cannot practice medicine because I have been away from the
profession so long. The only thing I can do is security and the private
company pays $1,200 per month; if I work security with the Government
they start at $1,900 a month plus there are benefits,” he said.

Dr Luarca said that he is seeking monetary compensation from the
Minister of Health for the years he was unable to work in the medical
profession. He alleged that two Cuban refugees left the Cayman Islands
for Spain, at least one got Spanish citizenship, and both have returned
to this country where they are working as medical assistants.

“Once they became citizens of another country they are no longer
refugees and should get a work permit. Yet they were given help and no
one helped the Cuban who stayed,” Dr Luarca said referring to himself.

The Cuban refugee also wanted to meet with the Pope to discuss human
rights issues in Cuba and the Cayman Islands and to be excommunicated
from the Catholic Church. Dr Luarca who has founded the Messianic-Jews
Cuban Movement to the Holy Family said that he needs his excommunication
in writing.

“I feel in my heart that I’m no longer a part of the Church but I need
them to say so,” he pointed out.

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