thedrifter
02-20-03, 06:32 AM
By Frank Griffiths
20feb03
THREE war on terror detainees have attempted suicide in the past week while in US military custody in Cuba.
There have now been nine suicide bids in the space of six weeks, adding to the 10 reported last year.
The three prisoners were treated at the base hospital and later returned to their cells, said Pentagon spokeswoman Lieutenant Commander Barbara Burfeind.
She declined to give any further details.
There are about 650 detainees at the US Naval base in Cuba, and all are accused of having links to Afghanistan's Taliban regime or the al-Qaeda terrorist network, though none has been charged with a crime.
Burfeind acknowledged today that the United States was transferring some suspects to detention elsewhere, but refused to comment on specific cases or possible other countries involved.
The New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights and the International Human Rights Law Group last week petitioned the Washington-based Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to ensure detainees were not tortured during interrogations.
They said they should also not be transferred to third countries, which might tacitly allow torture during questioning.
The groups said some prisoners had been taken to countries including Jordan, Egypt and Morocco for interrogations.
A Mauritanian independent weekly, Le Calame, reported today that 23 prisoners, including one Mauritanian, had been transferred to a a Moroccan prison for interrogation. The report could not immediately be confirmed, and the newspaper cited no sources.
"From time to time the transfer and release of detainees will occur without notice or mention," Burfeind said.
Amnesty International has demanded an inquiry into whether US interrogations methods have contributed to the suicide attempts. US officials insist the questioning is humane.
One man, who tried to hang himself on January 16, is still in hospitalis in serious condition.
"He is breathing on his own, but his level of recovery remains uncertain," Burfeind said.
The Pentagon has refused to detail the man's injuries, but said his home government and family had been notified.
The only independent group with regular access to the detainees has been the International Committee of the Red Cross, but it has not been allowed in for interrogations and no longer has a permanent presence on the base.
Sempers,
Roger
20feb03
THREE war on terror detainees have attempted suicide in the past week while in US military custody in Cuba.
There have now been nine suicide bids in the space of six weeks, adding to the 10 reported last year.
The three prisoners were treated at the base hospital and later returned to their cells, said Pentagon spokeswoman Lieutenant Commander Barbara Burfeind.
She declined to give any further details.
There are about 650 detainees at the US Naval base in Cuba, and all are accused of having links to Afghanistan's Taliban regime or the al-Qaeda terrorist network, though none has been charged with a crime.
Burfeind acknowledged today that the United States was transferring some suspects to detention elsewhere, but refused to comment on specific cases or possible other countries involved.
The New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights and the International Human Rights Law Group last week petitioned the Washington-based Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to ensure detainees were not tortured during interrogations.
They said they should also not be transferred to third countries, which might tacitly allow torture during questioning.
The groups said some prisoners had been taken to countries including Jordan, Egypt and Morocco for interrogations.
A Mauritanian independent weekly, Le Calame, reported today that 23 prisoners, including one Mauritanian, had been transferred to a a Moroccan prison for interrogation. The report could not immediately be confirmed, and the newspaper cited no sources.
"From time to time the transfer and release of detainees will occur without notice or mention," Burfeind said.
Amnesty International has demanded an inquiry into whether US interrogations methods have contributed to the suicide attempts. US officials insist the questioning is humane.
One man, who tried to hang himself on January 16, is still in hospitalis in serious condition.
"He is breathing on his own, but his level of recovery remains uncertain," Burfeind said.
The Pentagon has refused to detail the man's injuries, but said his home government and family had been notified.
The only independent group with regular access to the detainees has been the International Committee of the Red Cross, but it has not been allowed in for interrogations and no longer has a permanent presence on the base.
Sempers,
Roger