In 2013, Aamer told his attorneys that he was among the growing group of active hunger strikers. He said he had been refusing meals since 15 February and had lost 32 pounds.[1] In previous hunger strikes guards force-fed him with tubes down his nose.[26] His lawyer said Aamer spent 22 hours a day alone in his cell.[26] Aamer was not permitted visitors except his attorneys.[26] Aamer was among a group of detainees who filed a court challenge to the authorities' practice of force feeding those on hunger strikes.