From Holden:

Nothing like a little chain whipping and forced sodomy to relieve the tension among the troops.

Eleven detainees say U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan abused them before they were sent to the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, allegations that include beatings with chains, electric shock and sodomy, according to a lawyer’s notes that were recently declassified and released Monday.

Some of the men say they falsely confessed to being members of Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban regime or the al-Qaida terror network to make the abuse stop, said Tom Wilner, a lawyer for the 11 Kuwaitis being held in the prison camp at the U.S. Navy base in eastern Cuba.

Human rights groups and defense lawyers have long charged that some of the information that led to incarcerations at Guantanamo Bay was obtained through abuse or torture. Many of the 545 prisoners have been held for more than three years, most without charge.

[snip]

One detainee, according to Wilner’s notes, said: “The American soldiers kept saying, ‘Are you Taliban or are you al-Qaida?’ ‘Are you Taliban or al-Qaida!’ They kept hitting me, so eventually I said I was a member of the Taliban.” The detainees did not want to be identified by name.

Another Kuwaiti told Wilner he was held by U.S. troops in Afghanistan at bases in Bagram and Kandahar where he was hooded, tied with chains, hung by his wrists and stripped in front of female guards. He also said his interrogator forced him to sign a statement, but Wilner said the government has not provided him with any statement.

[snip]

Another Kuwaiti described how he confessed after having metal paddles placed under his arms and shocked in Afghanistan. Another said he was beaten so badly his ribs were broken. Some said they were beaten with chains.

One said U.S. troops in Afghanistan pulled down his pants and sodomized him with an object.

“One consistent theme, even at Guantanamo, has been religious humiliation,” Wilner said.