An ambulance was called to the MITA detention centre this afternoon (Wednesday) after five of the hunger-striking refugees fainted.<\/p>\n
The ambulance officers indicated that they have very low blood sugar and an unusually slow heart rate. Some are also now showing blood in their urine \u2013 a symptom that can be an early indication of kidney failure.<\/p>\n
The hunger strikers are reported to be \u201cvery weak\u201d, but all have refused medical treatment or appeals to eat or drink.<\/p>\n
Refugee advocates are growing increasingly concerned for their welfare, and are appealing for urgent action from the government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Minister has the power to grant visas that would allow these refugees to live in the community. There is no evidence that any of the refugees is any kind of threat to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe indefinite detention being inflicted on the refugee is cruel, extra-judicial punishment. They should be released.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713, or Feiyi Zhang 0416 121 616<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An ambulance was called to the MITA detention centre this afternoon (Wednesday) after five of the hunger-striking refugees fainted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":311091,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[15,17],"class_list":["post-2613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-press-releases","tag-asio","tag-detention"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t