Protest ‘may backfire’
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 14 April 2007
A LONG-RUNNING hunger strike by prisoners in Guantanamo Bay could lead to even harsher conditions inside the facility, lawyers acting for the Bahraini detainees have warned. Around 20 so-called “enemy combatants” being held in camp six have taken the action in protest at the environment within the unit.
It is said to be one of the “cruellest” facilities in the notorious prison, where detainees are kept locked in tiny, isolated cells for nearly 24 hours a day and only allowed out to exercise in the middle of the night.
Protest ‘may backfire’
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 14 April 2007
A LONG-RUNNING hunger strike by prisoners in Guantanamo Bay could lead to even harsher conditions inside the facility, lawyers acting for the Bahraini detainees have warned. Around 20 so-called “enemy combatants” being held in camp six have taken the action in protest at the environment within the unit.
It is said to be one of the “cruellest” facilities in the notorious prison, where detainees are kept locked in tiny, isolated cells for nearly 24 hours a day and only allowed out to exercise in the middle of the night.
Bahraini Isa Al Murbati is not taking part in the hunger strike, which has been going on since late January, but legal team head Joshua Colangelo-Bryan is worried that he could join the protest at any time because of his mental state.
The 41-year-old had previously been held in Camp One, allegedly the highest security section at the facility, after he was eventually forced off a six-month hunger strike in December 2005.
“It underscores the fact that people are being detained indefinitely and perhaps for life and that they are being detained in conditions that are reserved for the most violent criminal convicts,” Mr Colangelo-Bryan said of the strike.
“This is despite the fact these people have not even been charged with a crime.
“Most of them are not even accused of any violent action against the US.”
The lawyer is in no doubt why the US military is keeping prisoners in such conditions, but believes the strike could backfire.
“They want to ensure complete control over the detainees, even if that means driving them mad,” he said.
“The strike is serious in that it shows the desperation of people and it creates health risks and the risk of retribution by the military.
“This could be the use of restraint chairs to feed people and keeping them in total isolation.
“No court will tell the military not to do this.”
The other Bahraini detainee, Juma Al Dossary, is being held at the prison camp’s mental health unit and reportedly suffers from a variety of health problems.
According to the US military, the 32-year-old has tried to kill himself 13 times.
Mr Colangelo-Bryan and his legal team are considering travelling to Bahrain in the coming months in an attempt to speed up diplomatic efforts to release the country’s two remaining detainees.
If the trip goes ahead, they will meet government officials, human rights activists, four Bahrainis who have been released from the facility and the families of the two Bahrainis still being held.
Both men have been kept at the Cuba-based prison for more than five years without charge or trial.
Three other Bahrainis, Adel Kamel Hajee, Abdulla Al Nuaimi and Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, were released from Guantanamo in November 2005, while Salah Al Blooshi was released from custody and returned to Bahrain in October last year.
© Gulf Daily News