Asylum seekers on Christmas Island have stitched their lips together as part of a hunger strike involving hundreds of detainees.
About 75 asylum seekers on Sunday reached day six of the strike, and have been joined by some 300 others, seven of whom have stitched together their lips, the Refugee Action Coalition said.
The strike is a cry for freedom and sign of solidarity for Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati who was bashed to death during riots on Manus Island on February 17.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the protest and said it was "under control".
He refused to comment on details of the strike and said dramatisation such as that offered by refugee groups, is unhelpful.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Authorities have locked down compounds on Christmas Island to manage the strike, a coalition spokesman said.
"They are always warning we will be sent to Manus Island or Nauru. We need freedom," one detainee told the refugee coalition from inside the detention centre.
Mr Morrison said there were large numbers of Australian Federal Police and trained security personnel available on Christmas Island.
