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Lives of Guantanamo Hunger-Striking Prisoners in Danger
Update: Horrors! Prensa Latina weighs in, muchachos. And they ain't happy...Washington, Oct 3 (Prensa Latina) The lives of hunger-striking prisoners continue in danger for the third consecutive week at the US prison at Guantanamo Naval Base, according to inmates at the facility. There's a reliable source. So what's taking them so long? The strike, involving more than 200 inmates protesting their judicial limbo and their treatment by US soldiers, entered its ninth week on Monday. I thought it was the third week? Oh, okay. Their lives have been in danger for three weeks. The first six weeks must've been, like, dieting. Consistent with reports released by Newsday magazine, the "thinned-down prisoners are coughing up blood or falling unconscious on the floor," as the facility's military hospital " is inundated with hunger strikers, who are being force-fed through nasal catheters." Well it is a hunger strike, folks. What did you think was gonna happen? "We are in the throes of slow death here," prisoner of British origin Omar Deghayes denounced as he recalled that most of these people, who were detained in the wake of the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, have yet to be charged with any crime. Maonolo! My violin! Quickly! "I don't understand what the US is doing," Deghayes wrote in one of the reports about the strike, which he secretly handed over to his London-based lawyer. Maybe "London-based lawyer" ought not be allowed to see him anymore for violating some agreements here? In his hand-written testimonies, the prisoner recalls that "this is the fourth year in prison although no charges have been filed, and we lack medicine, products or conditions to wash, and are without sun." Couple of months ago they were bitching about being outside all the time. Deghayes described how he was punched in the eye by a soldier, and said that many prisoners "are falling down and showing symptoms of diseases." Well then...HELLO! Eat something maybe? If authorities here fail to do something quickly to improve conditions, "the number of prisoners on hunger strike will get out of hand," he predicted. Wow. It's Jihadi Nostrodamus... The Pentagon claims there were 131 inmates involved in the protest by mid-September, with only 20 having to be force-fed, but it has not permitted families, independent doctors or lawyers to visit or telephone the detainees, arguing it is a national security issue. The Doctors for Human Rights organization insists on making an independent diagnosis of the effects of the hunger strike, because the US Medical Association bans feeding striking inmates by force. Oh-oh. Guess we'll have to stop then. Don't want to piss the US Medical Association. More than 500 people, tagged as enemy combatants -a term used by Washington to hold them without legal assistance-, are under US custody at the Guantanamo facility, a territory illegally occupied by the US against the will of the Island's authorities and people. Hmmmm? Wonder who signs the checks at Prensa Latina? Got an answer for that one, El Jefe? Posted by: tu3031 2005-10-04 |
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