Former Governor again requests OAS to consider case of Puerto Rico

Rosselló prods OAS on rights claim

By CB Online Staff

Former Gov. Pedro Rosselló is renewing his push for the Organization of American States (OAS) to act on his claim that the U.S. government is violating the rights of Puerto Rico residents.The statehood stalwart first went the OAS more than a decade ago arguing that the residents of Puerto Rico do not have the right to vote for U.S. president or have a full-fledged representation in Congress, and that the federal government violates the human and civil rights to the 3.7 million residents of the island.

The former two-term New Progressive Party governor wrote this week Emilio Alvarez Icazca, executive secretary of the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, urging action, noting that it has been six years since he lodged a formal petition with the international body.

“Time doesn’t stand still and the rights of the petitioners continue to be violated,” Rosselló wrote.

The letter cites the results of last month’s status plebiscite in Puerto Rico, noting it was held on the same day that islanders were again shut out from voting for president.

“The U.S. cannot continue to ignore the fundamental right to vote,” he said.

Also see: 

Rosselló: Plebiscite results were clear