Asylum seekers in Foxtrot Compound have issued a letter (transcript below, with photos of letter and signatures) declaring that their hunger strike protest will continue.
Despite more intimidation this morning, with 11 more asylum seekers (1 from Delta, 10 from Oscar) being captured and taken to isolation, more than 700 asylum seekers in every compound maintained the hunger strike.
In at least one compound, people who had previously not been hunger striking joined the protest. Many were angered to hear comments from Tony Abbott and Peter Dutton suggesting that things were “calm” on Manus Island. Video footage (available on request) rebutting the comments of the Prime Minister that things are resolved has come out of Manus Island.
One message from Mike Compound read, “We will not stop.”
Asylum seekers have also painted a banner, “Peter Duton (sic) Lying, Manus detainees dying.”
Stop press: two more swallow razor blades
Two asylum seekers who swallowed razor blades were turned away from the medical centre this morning when they refused to drink before being treated.
They were returned to their compound and were found an hour later by other asylum seekers bleeding from their mouths.
They have now been taken back to the medical centre.
“This is the kind of mistake that is made when there are insufficient medical staff and when withholding treatment becomes a way of trying to impose political decisions to end the hunger strike protest. It is too easy to think every collapsed person is another one suffering dehydration,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
The hotter day on Manus Island has meant greater numbers needing treatment at the medical centre.
“Manus Island is far from calm,” said Rintoul, “Ill-informed comments from the Minister risks even greater tragedy.”
For more information , contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
Transcript:
The signatories to the following message clearly express themselves to all media, organisations and human rights institutes: We are writing to you from the heart of Manus, today 20 Jan 2015 our dry hunger strike entered it’s (sic) ninth day and it will continue. In here alarms are ringing but heartless politicians are still indifferent. We will continue our push until we reach our ultimate goal which is FREEDOM. Please rescue us from the HITLERS of our time
