A video of Yasiin Bey, usually known as rapper and actor Mos Def, being force-fed by doctors was recorded to highlight the force-feedings of Guantanamo Bay hunger-strikers. The rapper volunteered to participate in the four-minute film, which was made by the human rights organization Reprieve.
In the disturbing video posted by The Guardian, Bey cries and begs the doctors to stop. The doctors pushed a tube down his nose and into his stomach.
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At the end of the video, Bey says it wasn’t that bad at first, but quickly became unbearable.
“You get this burning and it starts to be really unbearable, like something is going into my brain and it reaches the back of my throat,” he said. “I really couldn’t take it.”
Of the 166 detainees at Guantanamo,
more than 100 have been on a hunger strike since February, according to Time.com. About 45 of them are force-fed regularly. Critics have called for the force-feedings to stop, particularly as Ramadan approaches, a holy time during which Muslims don’t eat or drink during the day, Time reported.
The force-feeding procedure done on Mos Def follows guidelines for Guantanamo Bay prisoners, taken from a manual that was first published on Al Jazeera this year, Time said.
Islamic leaders are asking President Obama to
stop the force-feedings, particularly during Ramadan, according to The Independent.
On July 4, attorneys representing Guantanamo prisoners filed a petition asking the feedings to stop.
“In the petition, the lawyers highlight the 30 minutes it takes to force-feed a prisoner, plus the two-hours the men can be required to remain in a restraint chair to ensure nutrients reach the stomach. The prisoner will also have to spend time in a ‘dry-cell’ after this process is finished to ensure they do not vomit or attempt to vomit,” The Independent said.
Reaction to the video on social media sites was strong.
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Related stories:
White House Asks Court Not to Halt Force-Feeding Gitmo Prisoners
Amid Gitmo Hunger Strike, Ex-Detainee Tells of Force-Feedings
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