Navy Rear Adm. Harry B. Harris
Commander Joint Task Force Guantanamo
Department of Defense
Joint Task Force Guantanamo
Buantanamo Bay, Cuba
APO AE 09360, USA

Dear Mr. Harris:

I am extremely concerned about reports that Guantanamo detainees participating in the hunger strike are being force-fed in a manner which is deliberately intended to cause harm and inflict suffering.  I am particularly disturbed about reports that members of IRF (Immediate Reaction Force) have been inserting and removing nasal tubes in a brutal manner in the presence of medical personnel.  Such force-feeding methods may constitute torture or other ill-treatment. In addition, a number of medical experts have stated that the forcible feeding of hunger-striking prisoners by physicians is contrary to international medical ethics, including standards of the World Medical Association.

Thus, I call for all detainees--who are participating or have participated in the hunger strike?to be given immediate access to adequate medical care and treatment.

Overall, I am exceedingly alarmed that conditions have become so desperate that Kuwaiti detainee Fawzi al-Odah has gone to court to try to get his feeding tube removed.  I strongly urge that immediate action be taken to improve the situation, specifically that all detainees must be either charged with a recognizably criminal offense or given a fair trial, pursuant to international standards.

At the very least, I ask that independent medical experts be given access to all the detainees at Guantanamo and that lawyers and families of the detainees be kept fully informed as to their legal status, health and well-being.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

cc:  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington DC 20520, USA
Hon Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301, USA