Gitmo Suicides Were Attempt to Shut Down Prison
The “cultural advisor” to Islamic prisoners in Gitmo tells the LA Times suicides there were an attempt to garner international support to close down the prison:
The advisor, who cannot be identified because of military rules and concerns for his family’s safety, attributes the suicides to a misguided rumor that an act of martyrdom would result in the rest of Guantanamo’s prisoners being freed.
“They thought they were doing good, that they were sacrificing themselves,” he said. “They thought there would be planes lined up to take the others away.”
Since the suicides had no effect, “I don’t think it will happen again,” he said. “The world didn’t respond the way they thought it would.”
The rest of the story describes the U.S. military bending over backwards for the prisoners. They developed a signal to know when to be quiet during prayers, force-feedings of hunger-striking prisoners during Ramadan was done after sundown, and a 4500-book library is available.
“Islam Advisor Cites ‘Calmer’ Guantanamo” [via Hot Air]
