Islamic leaders urge Obama to stop force-feeding in Gitmo

Islamic community leaders have called on the US President to take a “brave decision” to end force-feeding prisoners in Guantánamo during the month-long fast for Ramadan which begins on Monday, in a way that “would be appreciated around the Islamic world.”

This will be the twelfth year for some inmates who are observing Ramadan at Guantanamo. However, this time the situation has been dramatically aggravated by the mandatory force-feeding. Refusing to suspend the practice during the central religious holiday, the US is hurting the feelings and religious beliefs of the Muslims, activists say.

“We believe it’s wrong to force feed at any time but it is particularly upsetting to do it through Ramadan, “spokesman of the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, the Council On American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) told the Guardian.

“It’s not just a religious issue, it’s also a human rights issue, in violation of international norms and medical ethics,” Ibrahim Hooper added.

Last week a spokesperson for the American prison camp confirmed that the fast for Ramadan will be observed by synchronizing the force-feeding of Muslim inmates.

According to the prison authorities, 166 detainees are still in Guantanamo, of whom 106 are on hunger strike, of which 45 are “on the enteral feed list”, meaning they are force-fed through tubes.

The United Nations human rights office slammed the practice, saying it amounts to “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” and therefore is in breach of the UN Convention on Human Rights to which the US is a signatory.

The hunger strike began in February after guards allegedly interfered with the inmates personal belongings, including the mishandling of Korans.

Of the 166 detainees, 86 have been cleared for release, while 47 others are considered too dangerous for release but are not facing prosecution, 24 more are considered eligible for prosecution and just 9 have been charged with a crime or convicted.

President Obama promised to close Guantanamo as part of his election campaign in 2008.

In his speech in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on June 19 he suggested “redoubling our efforts to close the prison at Guantanamo.”