Delegation fails to end Amanda Vanstone's hunger strike

23 December 2003

The delegation sent to Nauru by Minister Vanstone in an attempt to end the hunger strike has so far failed and the hunger strike is set to grow, A Just Australia reported today after receiving information from the detainees.

Detainees report the delegation asked them to end the hunger strike but admitted Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, was too dangerous for refugees to return. More detainees are joining the protest today, meaning approximately 40 will be on strike.

"Minister Vanstone's delegation has confirmed that the Government has abandoned the detainees in Nauru, including 93 children, while admitting it cannot return people to Afghanistan," A Just Australia National Director Howard Glenn said.

The delegation arrived at 3.25pm yesterday and spoke with the detainees for an hour before inspecting the camp. The meeting proceeded calmly despite the extremely stressful circumstances. The detainees were able to have their views heard and have kept a detailed record of the meeting. The delegation leaves Nauru at 1.30pm (12.30pm AEST) today. It is not clear whether they intended to visit the detainees again.

Several detainees passed out during the meeting and were hospitalised. As of last night there were 18 hunger strikers in hospital with doctors concerned about further harm to kidneys already damaged by years of poor diet and water, and worsened by the hunger strike. Some of the detainees are in great pain.

"A medical tragedy is unfolding," said Mr Glenn. "Even if they survive, the hunger strikers are facing irreparable long-term damage."

"This must be an extremely distressing situation for the children in the camp and confirms Nauru is no place for kids to grow up."

During the meeting, delegate John Hodges requested the hunger strikers end their protest and return to normal health. A representative of the hunger strikers restated their commitment to their protest, saying they were not prepared to stay in the camp forever and that they could not return home. Delegate Gholam Aboss admitted that he knew it was unsafe to return to Afghanistan.

"The Nauru detainees have been the forgotten prisoners for over two years - long enough for the Taliban to be overthrown and then to resurface"

"Unless Minister Vanstone can demonstrate common sense and moral courage, instead of simple stubbornness, these frustrated people will likely demonstrate their desperate loss of hope by giving up what is left of their sad lives."