Washington, August 14 (RHC)-- A U.S. judge has ordered the commander of notorious Guantanamo prison to present details about the force-feeding of hunger strikers at the detention camp.
Judge Gladys Kessler called on the military on Wednesday to come up with explanations about the use of restraint chairs during the force-feeding of inmates. She also requested more details about the risks of force-feeding prisoners through the nose for three days at a time.
On Tuesday, Kessler directed the U.S. government to allow Syrian prisoner Abu Wa'el Dhiab to be examined by experts chosen by his lawyers as soon as possible. Dhiab's lawyers were seeking an order that would end force-feeding because they say it amounts to torture and the speed at which liquid is forced down prisoners' throat is some form of water torture that simulates drowning, similar to water-boarding.
There are still 149 inmates at the prison which was set up after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Washington says the inmates are 'terror suspects,' but has not pressed charges against most of them in any court.
Last year, many detainees went on a hunger strike for months to draw attention to their conditions at the US military prison.