Manning removed from two-day suicide watch; attorney files complaint, calls action punitive
Bradley Manning’s attorney, David Coombs, posted on his blog today that he has filed an Article 138 complaint with the Quantico Marine Corps base command alleging that the commanding officer of the brig where Manning is being held abused his discretion in placing Manning on suicide watch for two days this week.
Coombs writes:
The suicide risk assignment meant that PFC Manning was required to remain in his cell for 24 hours a day. He was stripped of all clothing with the exception of his underwear. His prescription eyeglasses were taken away from him. He was forced to sit in essential blindness with the exception of the times that he was reading or given limited television privileges. During those times, his glasses were returned to him. Additionally, there was always a guard sitting outside of his cell watching him.
Protest at gate to Marine Base Quantico, 17 January 2011
The move to put Manning on suicide watch status came the day after some 150 people protested outside the gates of the Quantico base demanding Bradley’s freedom. Mr. Coombs was quoted in the Washington Post as saying, “The fact that they won’t articulate any basis for it leaves you with no other conclusion than it must be punitive.”
Coombs’ complaint seeks to have Bradley Manning’s confinement regime reduced from maximum to medium custody, and for the prevention of injury (POI) order on him to be rescinded. The POI order is responsible for the most onerous aspects of Bradley’s confinement and includes bedding described as a cross between a lead apron and rough carpet as well as interruptions of his sleep any time the guards can’t see his face during well-being checks conducted every five minutes.
Coombs told the Associated Press that he will take the Marine Corps to court if this complaint is not successful.
Photo: Bill Perry
Keep it up, lawyers for Bradley! This is disgusting and my respect for this nation has reached an all time low. We deserve to be owned by the Chinese!
It’s comforting to know Coombes is being forceful in having this appalling treatment of Manning lifted.
I’ve posted the first attempt of a letter to him (Bradley) and recommend everybody, as well as donating to the fund, to do the same. Exposing war crimes is not a crime! x
It just gets worse and worse. My heart breaks for Bradley, and I am outraged beyond words. Please sign this petition to let Barack Obama and his administration know that we are not tolerating this: http://act.ly/2w7 Please sign! I know it will make a difference.
Shame on the U.S government and military for punishing this man for revealing the embarrassing and unacceptable truth.. They should be stripped to their underwear and be accountable for their state sanctioned murder.
To Bradley. The whole Western world is watching and many of us are apalled at the treatment you are receiving in the hands of the U.S. Marine Corps. How can Obama cticize China for their human rights abuse when they treat their own dissidents the same way? /Jimmy Bedford, Birmingham, UK
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I am ashamed that I have done nothing to support Bradley Manning until now. I am vowing to change that. Thank God for people like him who act as their consciences direct. What a brave young man.
I hope Bradley Manning will be set free soon, According to me he´s a hero for putting his own safety at risk following his heart…
They say truth will set us free, and i pray that all peaple will understand the meaning of that and take action, for the future of all.
Im trying to spread the word in Sweden, some thinks im worrying about irrelevant stuf that i have nothing to do with, but i cannot give up because of that, something is terribly wrong here and the outcome will affect us all in the longrun.
May the whole world rise against the coverups of bad deeds…
Bless u all and Bless u Bradley Manning!
What harm can Bradley Manning possibly do if he were to be treated fairly and humanely?
He hasn’t even been convicted of anything yet. What happened to presumed innocent?
Has our President now come to the conclusion that torture even on U.S. soil fits with his interpretation of the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment?
At least George W. Bush could claim ignorance for his promotion of torture. President Obama cannot hide behind that same flimsy shield.
You know if they pull this suicide watch crap again, they’ll even take his boxer shorts! X(
The treatment of Bradley Manning is proof that the so called free world is a elective dictatorship!!!
Revealling evil is NOT evil!
These actions or inactions on the part of the executive branch do not represent basic human decency.