U.S. rejects call to stop force-feedings at Guantanamo for Ramadan

Protesters demand the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility at the White House in May

(CNN) -- The U.S. government on Wednesday refused to stop force-feeding prisoners at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during Ramadan.

In court papers rejecting a petition by detainees, the United States said the feedings provide "essential nutrition and medical care" and do not interfere with the detainees' religious fasting during Ramadan, the holy month that begins on the evening of July 8.

The tube-feedings will take place in the early morning and late evening to help detainees comply with Ramadan restrictions, said Navy Capt. Robert Durand, spokesman for the detention facility.

Shaker Aamer, Ahmed Belbacha, Nabil Hadjarab and Abu Wa'el Dhiab filed a lawsuit Sunday arguing that the feedings violate the Ramadan daily fast from dawn to sunset.

U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler had set a deadline of noon Wednesday for the government to respond.
more @ http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/03/us/guantanamo-lawsuit/index.html