HRF’s First Prisoner of Conscience Free on Conditional Release; Francisco Usón Joined His Family on Christmas Eve

CARACAS, Venezuela (December 25, 2007) -- At 7:30 p.m. on December 24, 2007 in Caracas, Venezuela, the Human Rights Foundation’s first political prisoner and prisoner of conscience, Francisco Usón, was freed by the judge presiding over appeals in his case.

“This is magnificent for Francisco Usón, for his family, and for all of us who oppose political persecution,” said Thor Halvorssen, HRF’s president. “Although the conditions of his release are outrageously severe he will be at home and away from a prison where his life was in constant danger.”

Usón, a retired army general and former cabinet minister in the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years of prison in a maximum security jail for having uttered a statement expressing concern for human rights. The comment Usón made was broadcast on television and was deemed “defamatory” of the armed forces of Venezuela. A full report about Usón’s case, including a four-minute video, can be found at www.CaracasNine.com.

In December of 2006, days after HRF began a campaign for Usón’s freedom which included legal letters to the Venezuelan government, President Chávez offered Usón a presidential pardon. Usón rejected the pardon on the basis of his innocence—he wanted complete exoneration, not a pardon provided for political expediency to prevent the government further international embarrassment. Usón declared last night, “I never felt guilty, which is why I never asked for forgiveness and why I did not accept the pardon.”

Usón told HRF that “this is only the beginning—working with HRF I will labor to free every last one of the political prisoners I left behind. Despite what we are living, nobody can control our consciences—we are a country of free men and women.”

The Venezuelan government has imprisoned numerous student dissidents, former military officers, and policemen, and has persecuted hundreds of dissenters through questionable legal proceedings.

Usón’s lead attorney, Gonzalo Himiob, worked vigorously for this outcome—going as far as filing further motions for injunctions as recently as last Thursday, December 20. Usón’s freedom was granted given that, as of early November, he had served enough time to qualify for conditional release due to good behavior; however, the ministry of justice deliberately delayed the paperwork filed in October. Further information surrounding the irregularities in Usón’s delayed release will be forthcoming from HRF.

“We are so grateful to HRF,” said Himiob. “Whereas other international human rights organizations have utterly abandoned Venezuela’s political prisoners, HRF was a beacon that kept up the international pressure that was so crucial to keeping Francisco [Usón] alive and ultimately bringing about his freedom. Thank you.” HRF is the only international human rights organization that has visited Usón.

The conditions of Usón’s release include that he not comment about his case; not participate in any political events, marches, protests, or gatherings; not run for public office; and that he submit to a psychiatric evaluation. Usón’s imprisonment included two instances where he had “accidentally” been injected with insulin, which almost caused him a fatal heart attack.

HRF is an international nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the American hemisphere. It centers its work on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. These ideals include the belief that all human beings have the rights to speak freely, to associate with those of like mind, and to leave and enter their countries. Individuals in a free society must be accorded equal treatment and due process under law, and must have the opportunity to participate in the governments of their countries; HRF’s ideals likewise find expression in the conviction that all human beings have the right to be free from arbitrary detainment or exile and from interference and coercion in matters of conscience. HRF’s International Council includes former prisoners of conscience Vladimir Bukovsky, Palden Gyatso, Armando Valladares, Ramón J. Velásquez, Elie Wiesel, and Harry Wu.

Contact: Thor Halvorssen, Human Rights Foundation, (212) 246.8486, info@thehrf.org

For more information about Usón’s case, see www.CaracasNine.com