Forced feedings distress detainee on hunger strike

He wants his lawyers to seek feeding tube removal.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- A detainee on a hunger strike at the U.S. prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay wants a judge to order the removal of his feeding tube so he can be allowed to die, one of his lawyers said Tuesday.
Fawzi al-Odah of Kuwait asked his lawyers during a meeting last week to file court papers seeking the removal of his feeding tube "out of desperation" over his imprisonment without charges, attorney Tom Wilner said.
"He is willing to take a stand if it will bring justice," Wilner said.
The lawyers have not filed the motion because they first want al-Odah to get the approval of his family and to consult with doctors and psychological specialists not affiliated with the U.S. government, Wilner said.
Al-Odah's family does not want the tube removed, the attorney said.
There are 26 detainees participating in the hunger strike, which began Aug. 8. Almost all are being force-fed through nasal tubes, Martin said. Defense lawyers said the detainees are seeking to face trial or be released. Other complaints include the quality of the food and water and reported abuse by guards and interrogators.
Al-Odah, a 28-year-old who was arrested in Pakistan in 2002, weighed 139 pounds three years ago and is now down to 112 pounds, according to government records cited by his attorneys in court papers.
Conflicts
Al-Odah's request, which was mentioned in court papers filed by Wilner in Washington, raises a number of ethical and legal issues, including whether his lawyers would be able to continue representing al-Odah and his parents if they disagree on whether to file the motion.
The U.S. military has said that it considers hunger strikes a form of suicide and will take whatever steps are necessary to prevent any detainee deaths at the prison. Officials said they wouldn't comment on specific cases.
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