The Pentagon reported today two new suicide attempts by prisoners held at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, expressing fresh concern as the total number of suicide tries reached 27.
Navy Lt Cmdr Barbara Burfeind, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said in the past 10 days one detainee attempted to kill himself for the first time, while another made a repeat attempt. She said neither man was injured and both received medical and mental evaluation.
Ms Burfeind said 18 detainees have tried to kill themselves - most by hanging - and that there were 27 total attempts by these detainees since the Guantanamo facility was opened in January 2002.
She said there were numerous repeat suicide attempts, and some may have tried more than twice.
Roughly 680 prisoners are being held at Guantanamo.
"There's definitely concern in terms of reducing the number of attempts," Ms Burfeind said. "It's not an easy situation."
No one has died, although one detainee who attempted suicide has been hospitalised for months.
"He is actually still under medical supervision, but has come out of the coma and is doing better. He's actually speaking," Ms Burfeind said.
Human rights groups have criticised the United States for the conditions under which the prisoners are held, adding that interrogation techniques used there might include torture.
The United States has used the Guantanamo base to hold non-US citizens, including suspected members of the al Qaeda network, caught in what President George W. Bush calls the US war against terrorism.
The Pentagon has refused to identify them, has not brought charges against any, and has barred them from contacting lawyers.