Prison death: Detainee at Gitmo ‘found dead’

Nationality and name not disclosed, investigation launched.

WASHINGTON:

Another detainee death has been reported at the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison – taking the overall toll to nine since the detention centre controversially started housing suspects involved in the war on terrorism over a decade ago.

The US military announced that a detainee was “found unconscious” on Saturday – but said it was withholding the name and nationality till the deceased detainee’s family and government was notified of the death.

The official account of the death said that the detainee was found unconscious during a routine check by Joint Task Force guards. Immediately afterwards, corpsmen performed first aid and shifted the detainee to Naval Hospital Guantanamo where the doctors pronounced the detainee dead following a detailed medical examination.

US Southern Command said that an autopsy would be carried out, following which the remains would be prepared for repatriation “with respect for Islamic culture and traditions.” Military sources confirmed that an investigation into the incident has already been initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death.

Located on the Cuban island, Guantanamo prison, controversial for horrific accounts of torture and ill treatment of detainees, has been at the centre of a rights debate in the United States and across the world.

Following the death of the detainee, Guantanamo Bay now holds 167 detainees from several Islamic countries, who were hauled up by the US military after the attacks by al Qaeda on September 11, 2001.

President Obama, who had vowed to close down the prison in the lead up to his oath to office, has been unable to come good on the promise after members of Congress opposed the transfer of detainees onto US mainland soil.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2012.