Twenty-three asylum seekers, (four Iraqis, five Sri Lankans, eight Afghanis and six Iranians) transferred from Christmas Island to Nauru today, have joined the hunger strike.
Monday is the twelfth day of the mass hunger strike. The Iranian man is on the 32nd day of his hunger strike.
Today 12 people required treatment at the medical centre; yesterday it was 15.
Four people have also dug their symbolic graves inside the detention centre.
There were further signs of the stress on the medical centre after Nauruan police were called when one of the hunger strikers staged a two-hour naked protest after doctors had refused for a week to get painkillers for a toothache.
The hunger strikers also have concerns for one man who suffered a psychotic episode two days ago (Saturday 10 November). “He is only a little bit ok,” one asylum seeker told the Refugee Action Coalition (RAC) from Nauru, “He is still talking quite strangely.”
Fears are growing for the welfare of the Iranian man in the 32nd day of his hunger strike. Doctors have told him that he will be transferred to the Nauru hospital “in the coming days” and warned that he faces kidney failure and increased risk of a hear attack if the hunger strike continues. The doctor also asked him to appoint someone to make decisions concerning his welfare should he become unconscious.
“The possibility of the Nauruan hunger strikers suffering permanent damage grows day by day. It is possible that the Iranian man has already suffered permanent damage. It is increasingly urgency that the Minister intervenes,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the RAC.
“Transferring more people to limbo on Nauru is needlessly adding to the crisis there. Another 23 people are now on hunger strike.
“The Minister is playing recklessly with their lives. Four hundred people on Nauru are being sacrificed to a failed, cruel policy. Its time to close Nauru and begin processing all those who have arrived since 13 August.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
