Video footage has emerged of what appears to be detainees on a hunger strike at the Manus Island detention centre.
The footage was published by The Guardian, along with photographs of a man with his lips sewn together and audio of detainees pleading for help.
One man spoke of the desperation felt by detainees.
"Today, the Manus Island medical staff, they come to chack one of the boys who sewed his lips," he said. "And this man, he reject to allow them to check him."
"He said, 'I want to die'."
Another spoke directly to the Australian people:
"We are human beings," he said.
"We are not bad people. We are educated people.
"Please help us."
The authenticity of the video and date of recording could not be independently confirmed by SBS.
Its release came days after refugee advocates warned of deteriorating conditions at the centre - including some detainees refusing food and water.
The Australian Immigration Department yesterday confirmed asylum seekers were protesting, but said claims there was a hunger strike underway were incorrect.
