Cover-up at Guantanamo: The NCIS Investigation into the “Suicides” of Mohammed Al Hanashi and Abdul Rahman Al Amri

A must-read. Author Jeff Kaye is one of a small number of investigative journalists who continue to document — and make discoveries about — the torture of “war on terror” detainees. Despite the massive secrecy that renders FOIA documents black with redactions and gaps in the narrative, he uncovers evidence of the severe abuse of detainees alleged to have committed suicide in 2009 (Mohammed Saleh Al Hanashi) and in 2015 (Abdul Rahman Al Amri). Dr. Kaye’s experience as a psychologist who has treated torture survivors proves invaluable for uncovering the signs of medical malpractice that appear to have contributed to the deaths of Al Hanashi and Al Amri. He also documents compelling parallels between the violations of procedure and forensic investigation associated with the deaths of these men and the highly-contested “suicides” of other detainees. An extraordinary amount of damning information, including eye-witness testimony, wasn’t enough to start a credible government investigation into the “suicides” of three detainees one night in 2006. In 2012 Dr. Kaye reported on his Al Hanashi/Al Amri investigation to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, but so far nothing has come of this or his communications with the Department of Defense. With Cover-up at Guantanamo, the evidence of abuse-gone-lethal mounts. Will it be enough to spur credible investigations into these alleged suicides and bury the official story that detainee torture ended years ago?Martha Davis, Ph.D. Director, Doctors of the Dark Side and Expert Witness: Health Professionals on the Frontline Against Torture

Dr. Jeff Kaye engaged in painstaking research to piece together the suicides of 2 of the Guantanamo detainees with discussion of a third. His research is all the more incredible given the large number of redactions in FOIA responses when received as well as “missing” and inconsistent data in the Detainee Information Management System (DIMS). He also recounts other suicides with striking similarities. He raises many evidentiary questions that remain unanswered. Dr. Kaye also describes the extent of isolation, sleep deprivation, and sensory deprivation on the detainees with a description of the infamous Army Field Manual's Appendix M. Particularly striking is the use of a particular drug on the detainees that seems to argue for some kind of human experimentation occurring at Guantanamo. Dr. Kaye is fair, accurate, compassionate and also a very good and engaging writer. He recounts a story that must be told. I hope that more people will read his book and start to grasp the enormity of the toll our torture has had on the detainees, some of whom were never charged with crimes, and the harm that we have done to our standing in the world as a humanitarian country.

This book continues to demonstrate Dr. Kaye's commitment to relying upon and providing sources recognized as credible within the professional research community while sharing his research. It should be clear by this point to anyone following closely that Gitmo represents disturbing implications for the U.S. and its place in the global community. Perhaps even more importantly, what has been taking place at the facility may very well be more indicative of wider instances of entitled government policies and public apathy than it is of the multiple human rights issues. Any way one chooses to look at it, the marriage of the intel community and the mental health/medical professions is relevant, carries strong implications, and the author is to be commended for his ongoing efforts to document the extremely questionable situation.

Dr. Kaye does a marvelous job of conveying his experience of interviewing victims in terms that are both psychologically sophisticated and warmly human. People we prefer not to think about are brought to life and their suffering is made real. With this and a wide collection of data, Kaye makes the case compellingly that our government tortured people who had never been convicted or even tried and that this savage practice continues. A must read for people who believe in their country when right and seek to make it right when wrong.

This is an exemplary dissection of key information obtained by the author through his dogged pursuit of Freedom of Information Act requests. The book raises important questions and makes a strong case for criminal negligence surrounding the deaths in custody of Messrs al Hanashi and al Amri at GITMO. A must-read for anyone interested in the human condition in the Cuban base.

Jeff Kaye has borne witness to a sad chapter in our military’s medical history. Painstakingly and tenaciously researched, his book provides a forensic accounting of the unethical care provided to Guantánamo detainees. This research must be considered a definitive reference for scholars in the field.

This is a great written book on a horrible situation that has taken place in the torture facility of Guantanamo. If you have read other books on this place, you have to read this one.Great but, a must.

Harrowing and necessary journalism looking into the brutal conditions of Guantanamo and the suspicious/mysterious suicides of several detainees. A brutal reminder of the past crimes America still hasn't fully reckoned with.

In spite of the heavy subject matter, Jeffrey Kaye’s book is very readable and should be widely read. Although the deaths in suspicious circumstances took place years ago, the book covers and reveals the arduous and lengthy task of investigating the circumstances of life and death at Guantánamo, as undertaken and compiled here by the author. He also reveals new information and provides a medical perspective on the conditions of detention, life and death at Guantánamo, one which is seldom looked at or indeed analysed. Although heavy government censorship and the convenient loss or misplacement of documents or items leave a lot of questions unanswered, it is imperative that they are asked and answers are still sought. With a third president about to take control over Guantánamo and responsibility for the human rights abuses that take place there, this book is certainly worthwhile and topical reading.