A few weeks ago, President Barack Obama invited my husband, Oscar Elias Biscet, and me to a dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Many thought that in light of Obama’s efforts to improve relations between the United States and Cuba, Gen. Raul Castro, Cuba’s president, would approve a passport for Oscar so that he could attend. Such was not the case.

Oscar is a physician, but he is not allowed to practice medicine. Amnesty International has named him a prisoner of conscience for his years in jail for defending human rights. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded Oscar the Medal of Freedom. But he could not receive the award in person because he was in prison, where he had been sentenced to a term of 25 years. Oscar was released in 2011, but in many ways he’s still a prisoner because he can’t leave the island.

I, however, was permitted to travel to Washington, and I attended the recent dinner, where the president and Secretary of State John Kerry told me that they regretted Oscar’s absence.

My husband is grateful to Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, to Americans and to people in Europe and Latin America for their support of Cubans’ desire for freedom. Oscar would have wanted to speak to the president about the tragic conditions in which the Cuban people live:

-Regime repression has increased to a level unparalled since the 1960s. Hundreds of arbitrary arrests have been made this year, as well as physical attacks on peaceful demonstrators.

-Raul Castro does not permit Amnesty International, the International Committee of the Red Cross or similar organizations to visit Cuban prisons.

-The promises of Raul Castro are all too reminiscent of ones made by his brother Fidel. In 2007, Raul Castro said that every Cuban would have a glass of milk. We are still waiting.

-International humanitarian aid sent to the island after Hurricane Sandy was not distributed to people in flooded areas but instead given to armed forces and directed to stores where it could be resold at prices well beyond the reach of ordinary Cubans.

-Despite Obama’s efforts to improve bilateral relations, the Cuban regime continues to hold an American hostage. Alan Gross was condemned to 15 years in prison for giving a portable computer and a cellphone to Cuban Jews, actions not recognized as crimes in the civilized world.

As the Christmas season approaches, my husband and I pray to God that the resources the Cuban government devotes to its armed forces and to the repression of the civilian population will instead be used to ameliorate the poverty and hunger of the Cuban people. We pray also for the prompt arrival of freedom in Cuba.

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Elsa Morejon is a human rights activist and registered nurse who resides in Cuba. She has been barred from medical work in Cuba since 1998.

Editorial, Pages 16 on 12/03/2013