Fed: Hunger strikers plan to protest until last drop of blood

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2003
Fed: Hunger strikers plan to protest until last drop of blood

By Janelle Miles

BRISBANE, Dec 11 AAP - Nine asylum seekers on a hunger strike on Nauru, including four
who have sewn their lips together, have vowed to continue their protest "until the last
drop of the blood in our body".

The eight Afghanis and one Pakistani began the hunger strike yesterday - world Human Rights Day.

Nauru detainee Chaman Shah Nasiri said in an email today the hunger strikers had told
him they were determined to maintain their protest "even if it costs our lives".

More than 280 asylum seekers, including 93 children, are being processed on Nauru as
part of the federal government's so-called Pacific Solution to keep boat people away from
Australia.

One of the detainees last week attempted suicide.

Mr Nasiri said the slogan of the hunger strikers was "freedom or death".

"It is a peaceful strike against the policy of the Australian Government and the injustice
behaviour ... on refugees' cases," he said in an email sent to Elaine and Geoff Smith
of Rural Australians for Refugees.

"The message of all the refugees in Nauru is `do not forget us in your happiness'."

The Immigration Department has confirmed the hunger strike on Nauru.

A spokesman has said the hunger strike would not influence the federal government to
provide the asylum seekers entry into Australia.

"It would be in their best interests if they were encouraged to stop their protests
and instead turn their minds to returning to Afghanistan and getting on with their lives,"

he said.

AAP jhm/sc/cbs/de

KEYWORD: REFUGEES

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