VIDEO – Was Torture Used to Stop Gitmo Hunger Strike?

Guest blogged by David Edwards

At the end of December 2005, there were 84 detainees on hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay. Today, there are 4 detainees on hunger strike. The Pentagon has confirmed that some detainees on hunger strike were force-fed through a feeding tube.

Now, several detainees are claiming that the force feeding procedure is intentionally cruel and amounts to torture. CNN is reporting that detainees say their arms and legs were strapped down as they were overfed through the feeding tube. Afterwards, detainees were left strapped to the chair where they were forced to urinate on themselves.

CBS News reports:

…officials warned detainees on Jan. 9 that hunger strikers would be strapped tightly to a restraint chair and force-fed with a thicker tube than had been used earlier.

He also said that detainees would no longer receive throat lozenges to ease the pain of the feeding tubes and that they would have their shoes, blankets and towels taken from them and confined to a room that was deliberately kept colder than normal if they refused food.

“I’m brave, but I’m not stupid,” al-Odah is quoted as saying to explain his decision to quit the hunger strike. “On the chair, I’ll be restrained and unable to resist. They are determined to torture me.”

The Pentagon and the White House deny, deny, deny that torture is condoned or being used at Gitmo. (Scottie always takes an uncomfortably long pause right before he lies about vehemently denies something.)

Here’s a video report from CNN that includes comments from a lawyer for 3 of the detainees and White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan’s vehement denial of torture and abuse.


Video in Streaming Flash format…
Video in Windows Media format…

17 Responses

  1. "Those who think Karl or Scooter had anything to do with the leak of the name of Valerie Plame are being ridiculous. I asked them and they said no".

    "I am not a crook"

  3. This information is a direct quote from an actual detainee, who has the motivation to discredit the Gitmo officials. I have heard that they use a very thin feeding tube that goes through the nose in order to feed, and that the process is very humane. Is there any more evidence of this torture, or are you basing your belief that they are being tortured on your general suspicion of the Bush administration’s actions? It wouldn’t shock me that there is torture at Gitmo, I just haven’t seen any legitimate evidence of it yet.

  4. It was in American Free press over a month ago, an article about the huger-strikers being force-fed.

  5. Reporter: Mr. McLellan. Is it true that the hunger strikers are now eating?

    McLellan: Yes. Absolutely true. The hunger strike is over.

    Reporter: Is it because you force-fed them with tubes against their will?

    McLellan: Next question, please. Is Jeff Gannon here???

  8. 2222222222222222222 Much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Scottie Looks like he’s been Eating a little too well these days . . .

    Did he always have a Double Chin, talk Double speak out of both sides of his two faces.

  12. Scottie’s mom is running for governor in Texas, as a Democrat. Sort of a Carville-Matalin deal, where if you speak your mind at the dinner table you risk having hot coffee thrown in your face.

    But I suspect his time is short, and that Mom’s campaign will be the excuse for Scottie to return home. I’d look for Sean Hannity to replace him.
    Nobody will grieve except Jeff Gannon, who will have to develop a new identity to get through the White House gates.

  13. RLM Either it’s a Ruse or Thanksgiving dinner will be very Interesting @ the mcclellan household. . . . .

  15. Nittany Lion #3

    Anyone who opposes torture in fired, including high ups (link here).

    The prez and the wanna-be-prez are both destroyers of intelligence, and are of the opinion they can set up their own spy network aside from, in flagrant violation of, and in contempt of – the law.

    One is never aware of what one chooses to willfully ignore.