Monday, March 4, 2013

Mass Hunger Strike At Guantanamo Prison?

(Reuters: Brennan Liynsle)

If Guantanamo Prisoners Stage a Hunger Strike, Does Anybody Care? (Hint: Yes) -- The Atlantic

Despite the lawyers of over a dozen inmates reporting a widespread hunger strike happening right now inside Guantanamo, a prison spokesperson issued a no-such-thing statement on Monday. The alleged hunger strike started over three weeks ago when, in the lawyers' words, guards began "personal items, including blankets, sheets, towels, mats, razors, toothbrushes, books, family photos, religious CDs, and letters, including legal mail; and restricting their exercise, seemingly without provocation or cause." The lawyers continued in a letter to prison commander, Rear Adm. John Smith, "Arabic interpreters employed by the prison have been searching the men's Qur'ans in ways that constitute desecration according to their religious beliefs, and that guards have been disrespectful during prayer times." These lawyers weren't talking about one or two prisoners, by the way. They say these transgressions and the hunger strike that's followed affects "all but a few men."

Read more ....

Update #1: Lawyers: Conditions deteriorating at Guantánamo prison -- Miami Herald
Update #2: Guantanamo hunger strike denied -- Politico/AP
Update #3: Guantanamo Prisoners on Hunger Strike Against New Guard Force for Confiscating Personal Items -- Fire Dog Lake

My Comment: The prisoners/detainees are getting restless. Some have now been held for over 10 years .... I guess they are now realizing that they are never going to be let out.

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