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Feeding tubes misused on hunger striking detainees Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1235435 http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1235435 U.S. Denies Feeding Tube Misuse at Gitmo Chief Doctor at U.S. Prison at Guantanamo Bay Denies Misusing Detainees' Feeding Tubes By BEN FOX The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The chief doctor at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay denied allegations by hunger striking prisoners that feeding tubes have been misused as a form of punishment, according to an affidavit released Thursday. In a statement filed in federal court in Washington, Dr. John Edmondson said that only doctors or nurses are allowed to remove or insert feeding tubes and they use a lubricant and offer an anesthetic to the hunger striking prisoner to ease any pain. The handling of the hunger striking prisoners "equals or exceeds the standard of care available at accredited hospitals in the United States," Edmondson, a Navy captain, said in the affidavit. His statement was a response to affidavits filed with the court from defense lawyers, who said that prisoners held at the U.S. base in eastern Cuba alleged that troops force-fed them with dirty feeding tubes and violently inserted and withdrew the tubes as punishment. Prisoners also said they were taunted by troops who said the treatment was intended to persuade them to end the hunger strike that began Aug. 9. The affidavits were filed as part of a lawsuit by defense attorneys seeking more frequent access to their clients and copies of their medical records. A military spokesman on Wednesday denied allegations of abuse but did not know specifics about the use of feeding tubes and treatment of striking detainees at the hospital. Edmondson said that guards do not verbally or physically harass the detainees in the prison hospital. "Their presence in the detention hospital is solely to ensure the safety and security of both the detainees and medical staff," he said. Guantanamo officials have said this latest hunger strike began with 76 detainees protesting their confinement. Defense lawyers have cited other reasons as well, including complaints about food and water, alleged abuse by guards and interrogators and their desire to either face trial or be released. About 25 are now on strike. At Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. military holds about 500 detainees suspected of terrorist activities. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

Briton freed tells european rights body of abuse Briton says he was mistreated at guantanamo bay Britons were chained to the floor and beaten Detainee suspect forced to listen to springsteen Detainees abused { June 2 2003 } Detainees accuse female interrogators of sexual tactics { February 10 2005 } Ex detainee alleges abuses at guantanamo Ex prisoners allege rights abuse { August 19 2003 } Feeding tubes misused on hunger striking detainees Frenchmen say guantanamo detention was like hell Gaurds filmed beatings at Guantanamo { May 16 2004 } Guantanamo guard wiped menstrual blood on prisoner Guantanamo inmate treated like animal Guantanamo prisoner head wrapped with duct tape { January 3 2007 } Guantanamo suicides had choking cloths in mouths Harsh tactics at base in cuba { October 17 2004 } Judge orders cia documents released about interrogation { February 3 2005 } Mistaken solider beaten traumatic brain injury { May 25 2004 } Prisoners killed under custody { March 6 2003 } Probe into guantanamo abuse allegations Soldier beaten in guantanamo drill { June 16 2004 } Terror of torture in cuba camp Files Listed: 22

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