Although no comprehensive details have been released, a Military official has reported that guards found Al Hanashi in his cell 'unresponsive and not breathing'. Al Hanashi was held at the prison since 2002.

Unfortunately, this is not the first apparent suicide recorded at Guantanamo Bay. There have been four others, all reportedly by hanging and there have been countless more attempts1. In June of 2006, three men reportedly committed suicide by hanging at the same time according to the former base commander, Rear Adm. Harry Harris Jr. as an attempt of 'asymmetrical warfare' against the US2.

However, families of the men were suspicious of the circumstances surrounding the deaths as suicide is forbidden under Islam and out of character for the men3. The family of Salah Al-Aslami, one of the three men who is alleged to have committed suicide ordered an independent autopsy to be carried out on the body of their loved one when he was returned to Yemen. The Swiss team found that organs which would have been essential to the investigation were removed from the body such as the pharynx, larynx and throat, especially since these organs would have been affected during the hanging. The pathology team also found traces of pressure around the neck, a punctured vein, bruising on the back of the right hand and a lower front tooth had been broken whilst the victim was alive. There was also evidence that Salah was given injections, however, no traces of any substance was found in the toxicology report. The fingernails and toenails of Salah had also been cut very short which was curious due to the fact that DNA evidence is usually obtained to identify an attacker by removing traces of skin or blood from under the nails of the victim. In the end the autopsy report concluded that the death may have been caused by asphyxiation by hanging, but did not rule out other causes4.

Although the independent autopsy team applied several times to see the original autopsy report conducted by the US, the request was repeatedly denied. Salah's brother requested to see his family member after the autopsy. He said that Salah had bruises all over his face and that his family believed that he was tortured to death. The other two men from Saudi Arabia, Yasser Talal al-Zahrani, 22, and Mani Shaman al-Utaybi, 30 were also given independent autopsies. Their autopsies found that not only had the throat organs been removed, but also the brain, heart, liver and kidneys5.

The death of Al Hanashi highlights the concern for all detainees who continue to be held unlawfully at Guantanamo Bay. Al Hanashi was one of many detainees who are currently on a long term hunger strike, being strapped to a 'padded call on wheels' and force fed twice daily6. Reports outlining the deteriorating mental health conditons of those held in Guantanamo is troubling even though Obama Administration officials say that the prison is well run and in compliance with the Geneva Conventions. The impact of many years of prolonged solitary confinement as well as the ill-treatment and abuse has taken its toll on the approximately 239 detainees. Although President Obama has committed to closing Guantanamo Bay, the continued unlawful imprisonment and ill-treatment continues to affect them. It is time to end this sanctioned cruelty.

References

  1. Jane Sutton. 'Yemeni prisoner in Guantanamo commits suicide: U.S.'
  2. Michelle Shephard. 'Gitmo Suicide puts Pressure on Obama'
  3. Mahvish Rukhsana Khan (2008) 'My Guantanamo Diary: The Detainees and the stories they told me.' Scribe: Victoria. p.154.
  4. ibid. p. 162.
  5. Mahvish Rukhsana Khan (2008) 'My Guantanamo Diary: The Detainees and the stories they told me.' Scribe: Victoria. p.164.
  6. Andy Worthington 'Yemeni Prisoner Muhammad Salih Dies At Guantánamo'.