Chelsea Manning Facing Punishment After Suicide Attempt
The whistleblower could be subject to indefinite solitary confinement and may lose any chance of parole if the Army convicts her of what the ACLU calls “administrative offenses.”
Protesters outside the White House in 2014 demanding Chelsea Manning's release from prison. (Flickr / CC 2.0)
Protesters outside the White House in 2014 demanding Chelsea Manning’s release from prison. (Flickr / CC 2.0)
Early in July, news broke that convicted whistleblower Chelsea Manning had attempted to take her own life. Almost a week later, Manning reported via social media that she was “okay” and “glad to be alive.” But in the days since, Army officials have made it clear that Manning will face consequences after her suicide attempt.
According to a press release from the American Civil Liberties Union:
If convicted of these “administrative offenses,” she could be placed in indefinite solitary confinement for the remainder of her decades-long sentence. …
These new charges, which Army employees verbally informed Chelsea were related to the July 5th incident, include, “resisting the force cell move team;” “prohibited property;” and “conduct which threatens.” If convicted, Chelsea could face punishment including indefinite solitary confinement, reclassification into maximum security, and an additional nine years in medium custody. They may negate any chances of parole.
In addition to these new charges, The Army continues to deny Chelsea access to basic health care, including inadequate medical treatment after her suicide attempt.
Manning dictated the entire charge sheet via phone to a supporter—it can be read in full here.
“The government has long been aware of Chelsea’s distress associated with the denial of medical care related to her gender transition and yet delayed and denied the treatment recognized as necessary,” ACLU staff attorney Chase Strangio said in the press release. Manning has not commented publicly on the charges except to retweet the ACLU’s press release.
According to CNN, Manning was moved to a hospital near the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where she is serving a 35-year sentence for providing WikiLeaks with government documents.
Just last year, the Army reportedly agreed to provide Manning — formerly Bradley Manning, who lived as a male until recent years — with hormone therapy, but the ACLU has filed a lawsuit on her behalf to demand further medical care for her gender transition.
—Posted by Emma Niles
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.
At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.
Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.
Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.
Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.
Donate now.
Immigration
The travel restrictions on mostly African and Middle Eastern countries began Monday, after mass anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
LGBTQIA+
A roundup of resources as governments have moved to criminalize trans people, parents of trans children and health care providers.
Activism
The ACLU outlined how the bill would be used to go after the organizing power of activist groups by labeling them as terrorists.
Courts & Law
"Trump's legal theory defies common sense and would enable an almost limitless tyranny," warned Public Citizen's president.
Courts & Law
"This decision is a devastating blow to the civil rights of every American, and the integrity of our nation's electoral system."
Ear to the Ground
A new bill would inscribe a “right to housing” in the Golden State’s constitution.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.