Concerns for welfare of ASIO negative hunger strikers

After two days of their dry hunger strike protest, most of the 28 refugees staging their protest on the soccer field at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation are showing serious signs of dehydration.

Most are suffering dizziness, headaches, feeling hot and cold, while some are no longer able to stand without assistance.

“The lack of attention from medical or Serco staff is extremely worrying,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “There should be constant monitoring of the refugees’ condition.”

“The potential for a tragedy at the MITA is quite high, given that the refugees are on a dry hunger strike. Critical clinical symptoms, kidney failure, heart failure can set in very quickly.”

“The government needs to urgently respond. The Minister for Immigration has still given no explanation for the on-going detention of these refugees. The adverse ASIO finding does not mean that the refugees are any threat to the community. ASIO does not require them to be detained.

“They are simply being held at the Minister’s ‘pleasure’. It is a complete denial of natural justice,” said Rintoul.

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713 or Feiyi Zhang 0416 121 616

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