Amid grave fears for the lives of the Iranian asylum seekers currently on hunger-strike at Baxter detention centre, refugee supporters around Australia will hold a weekend of protest, demanding justice for asylum seekers and an end to mandatory detention.

“Indefinite detention in these high-security prisons is nothing other than psychological torture. And these men have had enough—they are saying to the Australian Government: ‘Let us die or give us freedom’” said Refugee Action Collective spokesperson Tim Petterson.

“We are deeply concerned for their lives. The Australian Government must immediately re-open assessment of all claims for asylum and assure all detainees that no one will be returned to countries that are unsafe.”

Hunger-strikers at Baxter have called for a weekend of protest across Australia. The Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) will join other refugee supporters with a series of different protests, including a 24hr fast and a day of letter writing to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The hunger strike is now into its second week. Three men are conducting a rooftop protest while others have sewn their lips together. Three protesters were taken to hospital on Tuesday.

Most hunger strikers have been in detention for between four and six years. One of these is Iranian asylum seeker Dartyoush Hoshmand Najad, a former trade union leader and Christian who fears returning to his country for fear of persecution by authorities for his political and religious beliefs.

“These hunger strikes are desperate acts by people who have no voice and no future — this is the only power they have over their lives. Their profound frustration from many years in detention has finally taken its toll.” Mr Petterson said.

• 12.30-1.15 Fri 17th Dec: Public Speakout at the cnr of Bourke & Swanston St.
• Sat 18th Dec: Hunger for Freedom— 24 hour fast. Refugee activists, including
  prominent Melbourne writers, actors and artists will hold a vigil outside the
  GPO Melbourne (cnr Bourke and Elizabeth St) between 10am and 5pm. More
  details will be provided in a separate media release issued later today.
• Sun 19th Dec: International Alert - Media Campaign and Human Rights
  Groups beyond Australia. Refugee supporters will deluge international media and
  human rights organisations with the story of the Baxter hunger-strike, the background to
  the situation and detainees' urgent plea for release.
• Monday 20th Dec: Write to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Refugee supporters will be writing to Mr Annan pleading with him to intercede on behalf of the hunger-strikers with the Australian Government.

For information and interviews, contact:
Lauren Ireland on 0401 635 072