Nauru detainee tells of hunger strike

5 Nov 2012, 4:19 pm   -   Source: Rhiannon Elston, SBS
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Up to 15 asylum seekers at Nauru have been given medical aid as a hunger strike at the processing centre enters its fifth day.

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Up to 15 asylum seekers at Nauru have been given medical aid as a hunger strike at the processing centre enters its fifth day.

One detainee told SBS News around 300 men were refusing to eat.

A spokesperson for the Department of Immigration disputed this number, saying it was difficult to determine how many people were on hunger strike, but confirmed between 10 and 15 people had been given medical treatment on-site.

“We’ve confirmed there is a group of people who are missing meals, however we do refute the scale and the numbers claimed by refugee advocates.

“Given that there are large amounts of food being taken at meal times, including snacks, fruit, that sort of thing, that assumes there are a large number of people eating.”

The spokesperson said detainees had access to food and water “at all times”.

The Pakistani asylum seeker who spoke to SBS – and did not want to give his name – said the hunger strike, along with a peaceful protest held at the centre yesterday evening, was intended to send a message to Australia.

“We are just trying to get the word out, we are showing our feelings to the media and the people of Australia we are not happy here.”

The man also spoke of poor conditions at the camp, saying overcrowding and heat exposure were particularly problematic.

A Salvation Army representative recently visited the camp, and said via a statement: “Heat is a constant drain on both staff and transferees.”

“The Transferee Internet Room and Education Room are air conditioned, and fans are available elsewhere.

 “Improvements to the facilities continue to be made, and the Salvation Army continues to develop a range of educational and recreational programs available to transferees.”

The Pakistani asylum seeker said the strike would continue at Nauru until the Department of Immigration provided more information about the status of their cases.

“We want our cases to be heard in Australia, that is what we want,” he said.

Asylum Seekers , Nauru Detention Centre , Rhiannon Elston SBS

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“We want our cases to be heard in Australia, that is what we want,”

Georgina - from Brisbane, 6 months ago

obvious reason why they are so desperate to be liberated is because they want be reunited with their families, no one has time for country shopping, Australia is accepting refugees that's why they are knocking our doors common sense, and every Australian except for indigenous Australians have migrated from some part of the world .. take another look of ur ancestors or ur history in Australia then make judgmental comments

Reconsider !!

Ian - from Brisbane, 6 months ago

if these people are in a place where they are getting their required meals a day and shelter what about their psychosocial needs, what about the thoughts whether their remaining family members are safe at home or not, imagine a day where u have to live without your family, imagine seeing your loved one covered in blood.. its easy to pass on judgments on the shore but being on the boat itself is hell, it seems unrealistic because we havn't come across it but these oppression of innocents do exist

How many real Aussies go without 3 meals a day??

Errol S Nilson - from Kirra, Qld, 6 months ago

Get rid of them. Poor people risk their lives pay bigdollars to people smugglers to escape and what do they get when they get here? A roof over their heads, 3 meals a day,free medical, phones, internet access NO threat to their lives or health, !!! What do they do RIOT, go on hungry strikes and really show their gratitude for finally being safe. Lets show them what we Australians think of their gratitude send them back where they come from FREE of charge.

“We want our cases to be heard in Australia, that is what we want,”

Rowdy - from Mt Claremont, 6 months ago

So the guest is demanding from the host! Not difficult to see why they are unwelcome. Unlike other people who are equally as legitimate in their refuge claim and still awaiting their turn in African and Middle-east refugee camps, these queue jumpers think they should be able to make demands of Australia! No Advantage is probably too soft.

budvv

Marty - from Perth, 6 months ago

These people could have had their refugee status prossessed in any number of counrties they passed through. Why didn't they? These people are just country shopping for the country with the best social welfare payments.

Hazara Refugees are True Refugees

Hesham Taltamore - from Brisbane, 6 months ago

Hazara who leave their homeland, it is not because of economic reasons, their lives are in real dangers, in Quetta Pakistan and Afghanistan they are the minority tribe, they are persecuted, mistreated, mascaraed and target killings by Lashkar- Jangwi and Taliban for several years, still it is happening. They have no shelter and they are refugees, Refugees have the human right obligation to seek protection, they have come to come to Australia not Nauru. They are the scarifies of dirty policies.

Taking personal liberty away...killing them "softly"

FREDERIKA STEEN - from BRISBANE , 6 months ago

Most boat people have turned out to be refugees.Holding them for 5 years on a 21 sq km island more than 4 hours flight from Brisbane is insane and inhumane. They have not been charged with a crime because it IS legal to seek protection from persecution. Most refugees know what suffering is.It is not so much the conditions but the loss of hope, of a future, of reunion with loved ones in a safe place, somewhere, that drives them to desperate acts of self harm. Hence a hunger strike -nil by mouth

Respect

Sydney resident - from Bass hill, 6 months ago

This poeple should be grateful, at least they're eating 3 meals a day Back where they come from they don't even have enough meal for a day.. And mad as hell, it's us the tax paying citizens of this country that's paying for their free meals...

Poor people

Michael - from Perth, 6 months ago

In contrast to "True Blue Ozzie;" I don't think it's OK that these people are in overcrowded conditions that are "better than a warzone" .. I wish we could treat these humans with the decency they deserve. Personally I believe in open borders- innocent until guilty (but that's another debate)

True Blue Fail

Mad as Hell - from Brunswick, 6 months ago

Hi True Blue, Bullies take out their fears and resentment on other people, not themselves. It is the Australian Government, and confused individuals like yourself who are acting like bullies. This is not a case of blackmail, it is a group of people claiming their INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS, in public, from a national government who swears publicly to uphold those human rights in the countries from which these refugees have been driven by wars started and continued by us. Get a grip

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