The medical profession was deeply embedded in developing the horrific interrogation tactics used by the US CIA to mete out insufferable pain on people, according to a top surgeon.
Blistering attack
Atul Gawande, an American surgeon, author and public health researcher, launched a blistering attack on clinicians for helping the CIA to torture people.
He expressed outrage in a series of tweets at the role of medical professionals, who have "sworn to aid human beings", in assisting the CIA to inflict pain on people.
This followed a report titled the Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Detention and Intelligence Programme. It reveals some chilling details on the torture methods used by the CIA in the wake of the September 11th attacks.
Read: CIA report: 6 shocking torture methods exposed
One of the tactics used was rectal feeding and Gwada says it was it was doctors who devised this “as a means of behaviour control”.
At least five captives were subjected to rectal feeding and in one case a suspect’s meal, consisting of "hummus, pasta with sauce, nuts and raisins was pureed and rectally infused".
The report also alleges one man was waterboarded on at least 183 separate occasions. Waterboarding entails covering the face of the captive with a cloth before pouring water over their mouth and nose. This simulates the feeling of drowning, causing acute psychological distress.
"Doctors suggested the water temperature for waterboarding and use of saline instead of free water to avoid water intoxication," tweeted Gawande.
Here are his 12 tweets referring to doctors in the report:
1/The Senate CIA Torture Report reveals savage, immoral, utterly despicable practices by our govt. http://t.co/qZWUNtJSeU
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
2/But the worst for me is to see the details of how doctors, psychologists, and others sworn to aid human beings made the torture possible.
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
3/The torture could not proceed w/o medical supervision. The medical profession was deeply embedded in this inhumanity.
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
4/It was doctors who devised the rectal infusions "as a means of behavior control". (p100)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
5/Doctors suggested the water temperature for waterboarding and use of saline instead of free water to avoid water intoxication. (p86, 419)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
6/Doctors watched as stress positions inflicted pain, lacerations, and only stopped them when producing, e.g., shoulder dislocation (70)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
7/Psychologists, who were supposed to stop damaging interrogation, actually served as interrogators. (72)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
8/The Office of Medical Services provided consultation on when fractures and wounds were healed enough to resume torture. (p113)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
9/The Office of Medical Services wrote guidelines approving up to 3 waterboard sessions in 24 hours per prisoner. (p87)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
10/When torture caused Abu Zubaydah’s eyes to deteriorate, MDs only intervened to insure ability to see was saved to aid interrogation.(112)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
11/Doctors found prisoners with broken feet and still approved putting them into standing positions for up to 52 hours (p112)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
12/Doctors were long the medical conscience of the military. The worst occurred because gov't medical leaders abdicated that role. (p87)
— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 10, 2014
Why doctors torture
The journal Torture, published a study in 2008 that found that both torture survivors and doctors confirmed that doctors are involved in torture.
"Dual loyalty, political initiatives and lack of training in human rights issues are important reasons why doctors participate in torture."
The study indicated that doctors are primarily involved in the diagnosis or medical examination of torture survivors or prisoners, including in treatment, direct participation and falsification of journals, certificates and reports.
You can read the full report here.
Read more:
Most will torture if ordered
10 things you didn't know about torture
Executions increasingly viewed as torture
Image of a chained person from Shutterstock