Progressive Caucus to Obama: End Veil of Secrecy over Guantanamo Abuses

The heads of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) have told President Obama that the continued secrecy over videotapes showing force-feedings of Guantánamo inmates is “untenable” and that he should allow members of Congress to see them.

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Earlier this month, federal judge Gladys Kessler ordered public release of videos showing force-feedings and forcible cell removals of hunger-striking prisoner Abu Wa’el Dhiab, who is engaged in a legal challenge, Dhiab v. Obama, over his treatment. In a statement issued through his attorneys at the UK-based charity Reprieve, Dhiab stated: “If the American people stand for freedom, they should watch these tapes. If they truly believe in human rights, they need to see these tapes.”

There are also videos of Guantánamo prisoner Emad Hassan being force-fed and violently extracted from his cell. Both men have been cleared for release.

In the letter (pdf) they sent to Obama on Thursday, Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) write: “The recordings are currently classified at the ‘Secret’ level, although no national security or other justification has been provided for this classification.”