Serious Health Conditions of Long-Term Detainees at Guantanamo Raise Growing Human Rights Concerns

Amid ongoing human rights abuse controversies surrounding the detention of "terror suspects" at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, an international relief organization has pointed out that the health condition of long-term detainees held there is deteriorating.

According to reports from the New York Times (NYT) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Patrick Hamilton, head of the ICRC delegation for the United States and Canada, urged in a statement, "The Guantanamo Bay detention camp authorities must come up with measures to address the aging of detainees."

The NYT evaluated that "It is very unusual for the ICRC, which has regularly monitored the detention facility's situation, to issue a public statement beyond confidential communications with officials."

Earlier, a United Nations investigation team also publicly raised concerns about medical issues at the detention facility in January.

The Guantanamo Bay detention camp was established in 2002 at a Cuban military base after then-U.S. President George W. Bush declared a "War on Terror" following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, Cuba [Image source=Pixabay]

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The camp mainly holds terror suspects captured overseas, but controversies over human rights abuses have persisted, including detaining suspects without clear evidence, not prosecuting them, and reports of torture. At one point in 2003, the detainee population reached as many as 660.

Hamilton said, "I visited Guantanamo in 2003 early in my ICRC career as an interpreter," and added, "When I went again last month as part of a regular ICRC visit, I was shocked to see long-term detainees experiencing rapid aging symptoms."

He further stated, "It appears that the cumulative effects of prolonged detention have accelerated aging."

The NYT quoted attorneys saying, "Some detainees suffer from brain damage and disabilities caused by beatings and sleep deprivation, digestive system damage, and issues related to long-term use of restraints."

In particular, the oldest detainee, Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, in his 60s, has undergone six spinal and back surgeries since 2017 at the camp and was recently diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. His attorney suspects complications from a metal implant surgery he underwent in November last year.

Hamilton emphasized, "While the authorities are taking temporary measures, if the U.S. intends to continue operating this detention camp, a more comprehensive solution is needed," adding, "All detainees should receive appropriate treatment for mental and physical health deterioration, whether inside the camp or elsewhere."

He also urged, "Detainees should be allowed to communicate with their families more frequently and for longer periods," and called on "the U.S. government and Congress to find appropriate and sustainable solutions to resolve these issues."

Currently, 30 detainees remain at Guantanamo. The U.S. government is pursuing plans to transfer them to detention facilities in other countries.

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