Gitmo Detainees Seek End To Force-Feeding, Saying It Will Violate Religious Freedom During Ramadan

Four Guantanamo Bay detainees-- all of whom have been cleared for release-- filed a motion on Sunday in their long-pending habeas corpus cases seeking to force the U.S. government to end force-feeding of detainees participating in a hunger strike. (Press Release from Reprieve.) The motion (full text) in Belbacha v. Obama, (D DC, filed 6/30/2013), in addition to broader arguments against force feeding, argues that with the month of Ramadan starting shortly, force-feeding during daylight hours will violate detainees' religious freedom in violation of the Geneva Convention and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Reprieve announced Monday that the court has ordered the government to respond to the motion for a preliminary injunction by July 3.