Fed: Hunger strike leaves detainees in hospital

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2003
Fed: Hunger strike leaves detainees in hospital

Two asylum seekers staging a hunger strike on the Pacific island of Nauru have been
taken to hospital, as other detainees refusing food and water have lapsed in and out of
consciousness.

ELAINE SMITH, of Rural Australians for Refugees, says Pakistani father of three RAJA
TARIQ and Afghani JARNIL KHAN HASHIMI are both in hospital on Nauru as other asylum seekers
continue a hunger strike in the detention centre.

Mrs SMITH says Mr HASHIMI had his leg blown off in a car bomb in Afghanistan after
speaking out on women's rights.

The Immigration Department has confirmed 19 asylum seekers on Nauru are on a hunger
strike to protest their detention.

Four have sewn their lips together.

And at least three asylum seekers in the isolation centre at the Port Hedland detention
centre in northern Western Australia are also still refusing to eat.



(reissuing, correcting headline)

AAP RTV sm/jhm/rca

KEYWORD: DETENTION (REISSUING)

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