Doc Dave’s Blog

CIA FORCE FEEDING HARD TO SWALLOW

23-04-2008

One of the CIA’s favoured methods of torture – waterboarding – has been highlighted in a shocking new Amnesty International video. Doctor David Nicholl explains a few of their other favoured techniques, including force feeding.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Much has been in put in print regarding waterboarding, and Amnesty’s film, “Stuff Of Life”, certainly cuts through any accusations of ‘liberal hogwash’ by showing what is involved.

Likewise, 2 years ago I gave a demonstration outside the US embassy of what was involved with forcefeeding as I felt it was very difficult for a non-medical audience to visualise what was involved.

I already had the method described to me in some detail by the US military doctors at Guantanamo. Clearly the Metropolitan Police thought it was pretty realistic as they asked me to “quieten it down a bit as you are frightening some of the tourists”

The waterboarding admissions, alongside revelations that videotapes of CIA interrogations have been destroyed, have fuelled intense debate about US treatment of prisoners in fighting terrorism.

However, despite growing concern about waterboarding and other abusive practices, US President George Bush recently vetoed a bill that would have outlawed such so-called “enhanced interrogation” techniques.

Malcolm Nance, a US security expert familiar with waterboarding as a counter-insurgency training technique, said:

“Having trained American operatives to withstand waterboarding, I can assure you that this truly scary film is right on the money - this is what it’s like.

“Let’s not mince words - waterboarding is out and out torture, and I’m deeply ashamed that President Bush has authorised its use and dishonoured the USA’s reputation.”

What is now clear is the forcefeeding, use of restraint chairs, water-boarding and the involvement of doctors in torture still continue to this very day. This then begs the question, what will the next US President do to clean up the US military’s act?

To see yesterday's report, click here

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