Originally published July 27 2005
Four Guantanamo prisoners file complaints against camp doctor
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Four prisoners at Guantanamo Bay have filed a complaint with California's medical discipline board against the camp's top doctor, Capt. John S. Edmondson, alleging he engaged in "unprofessional conduct" such as only providing medical care for those cooperating with investigations, aiding in interrogations and sharing medical information with interrogators, reports Newsday.
They were filed Thursday by a New York law firm on behalf of four Yemeni prisoners.
One, who had abdominal surgery, says he was denied medical help for constipation unless he became more compliant with interrogators.
Another says in his complaint that medical aides advised guards where to hit him - "around the eye, don't poke the eye" - during a beating.
"This is the first time a high commander at Guantanamo will face potential discipline for actions relating to detainee operations down there, and it's a way civilian boards can become involved in an important issue down there," said Scott Sullivan of the New York law firm Allen & Overy, which filed the complaint.
Edmondson was not available for comment, but a Pentagon statement said al-Qaida manuals advise prisoners to complain of mistreatment and denied medical misconduct at Guantanamo, citing a report issued last week by the Army.
"Allegations of abuse in medical care for detainees were thoroughly investigated by the Army Surgeon General, and no evidence was found to substantiate these allegations," said Lt.
"There is no evidence of systemic problems in detainee medical care."
In addition to breaches of confidentiality, participation of abuse and use of access to care to coerce cooperation, the four Yemeni detainees - all of whom say they did nothing to justify their detention - also alleged substandard care in the complaints filed in California.
"I was not informed of the result of my diagnosis by the doctor with regard to testicular pain in spite of my repeated requests," wrote Abdul Khaliq al-Baidhani.
They did not provide me with an interpreter during or after the examination.
A member of the medical team refused to tell about the doctor's findings."
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