07 February 2012

Sen. Burgos calls on Obama to release Puerto Rico political prisoner Oscar López

Inter News Service
New Progressive Party Sen. Norma Burgos presented on Monday, during the first day of ordinary session, S. Resolution 2538 wherein she requests President Barack Obama the release of Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera
As expressed by Burgos in the bill, “our president (Obama), in multiple instances, has recognized the right of self-determination of the people of Puerto Rico.” 
For the senator, Obama “has reiterated the importance that we agree on issues relevant to our self-determination, thus, by making use of his prerogatives, from the (U.S.) Senate he asked for the liberation of Oscar López, who is in a federal prison after complying with two sentences that sum to 70 years.” 
“The people of Puerto Rico have solidarity, we want to remain consistent with the claim that we have made to liberate Oscar López. 
We did it in 1999 when we occupied the (Puerto Rico) Secretary of State, when former U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton pardoned most Puerto Rican political prisoners who had spent close to 20 years in prison,” she said.   
The legislator remembered that “in an act of solidarity” Oscar López rejected the initiative established by Clinton “because his colleagues Haydée Beltrán and Carlos Torres remained in jail.” 
During Obama’s recent visit to Puerto Rico, Burgos requested the liberation of the Puerto Rican prisoner. 
The senator qualified as “unfair” that the “boricua” remain in jail “when it is known that his main motive is for supporting independence, and when others are already out of prison. 
But as, the federal parole board has denied the possibility of his release, despite the exemplary behavior shown by Oscar López in the past 30 years.” 
“It is time for Oscar to have his liberty and return home, to his house with his daughter Clarissa López, to whom I recently expressed my commitment to present this petition in the Senate as it is happening today. 
This is an act of solidarity calling on our president (Obama) to order the liberation of this Puerto Rican,” Burgos declared. 
Burgos’ initiative complements the one previously made by Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi who addressed the federal parole board during the process of consideration for Oscar’s release.

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