by Lana Cooper, 11 December 2003
Asylum Seekers detained by the Australian government began a hunger strike on Wednesday morning.
Hunger strikes began to coincide with World Human Rights Day. The asylum seekers have only one slogan whilst on strike, "Freedom or Death". Four individuals taking part in the hunger strike have also sewn their lips together.
The peaceful strike is being held to oppose the policies of the Australian Government, toward asylum seekers. Chaman Shah Nasiri, an asylum seeker witnessing the hunger strike on Nauru, explained the aims of the strike. "To inform all the Humanitarian organizations, countries and especially the people of Australia to perceive the feelings of the refugees and also to know what is going on behind the fences in Nauru", said Mr Nasiri.
Those behind the wire fences in Nauru live in very poor conditions, and some say a life as an asylum is no better than a life under the Taliban regime. "When we were in our own country we were persecuted in different ways by atrocious rulers and Governments but now when we are in the Australian made detention centers we don't think that we have been treated better than what Taliban and other cruel Governments did with us. What is the difference between Taliban Militias and the Government of Australia?" said Mr Nasiri.
Asylum seekers, on the hunger strike, ask Australians not to forget them. "Eventually we all Afghan Refugees request you to feel the pains of the children like yours, mothers and all other detainees as a human being", said Mr. Nasiri.
Currently there are around 400 asylum seekers in Nauru, including 93 children. Asylum seekers participating in the hunger strike say it will last indefinitely, until they receive an outcome.
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