Refugees at a Melbourne immigration detention centre have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike.
Last week the men -- whom ASIO deem a security threat -- were told there is no timeframe for a review of their status.
They say they are fearful of many more years in detention.
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"Some of us are very close to losing our mind ... and most of us are affected mentally and physically," an asylum seeker told SBS from the perimeter fence of the detention centre.
"If they can't [release us] ... kill us on mercy basis because we can't handle this life anymore," he said.
Thirty of the occupants at this detention centre, and 56 in total around Australia, have been granted refugee status but have been deemed a security threat by the Australian Intelligence Security Organisation (ASIO). They are mainly Tamils from Sri Lanka.
A spokesman for the refugees says they have been in detention for between two and four years.
"We didn't come to Australia to die. .. we came to Australia to re-start our new lives like human beings," a refugee said.
In a statement ASIO told SBS: "The risk an individual may pose to security, and may refer to terrorism, the promotion of communal violence, and acts of espionage or sabotage".
But the detainees deny they are a threat to the community: "We are not a threat to this nation .. Once we released we will be a very loyal and proud citizen of this nation."
"Help us ... help us please".
