More than 30 people remain on hunger strike on Nauru, but the heat and conditions are taking toll.
Two more of the hunger strikers have been hospitalised – taking the total in hospital to three – two Iranians (the longest of the hunger strikers, Jamal, 32 days, and Mehdi 36 days) and an Afghan asylum seeker.
Today (Thursday), 13 people have collapsed and have been taken to the medical centre.
Another man, has severely cut his arm and he too is now in the medical centre. Another Iranian asylum seekers who has previously attempted suicide is also preparing to leave the camp. More evacuations to Australia seem likely.
The asylum seekers also remain worried about the fate of Omid who was flown off the island to Brisbane on Friday on his 50th day of hunger strike. . No statement has been forthcoming from the Australian government about Omid’s condition.
“The least the government can do is to make a statement about Omid’s welfare and medical condition. His friends on Nauru would like to know. If Omid is still on hunger strike, it will be 56 days,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
All asylum seekers except the Sri Lankans continue to boycott the phony interviews being conducted by Australian immigration officials and any excursions from the camp.
