Baxter Hunger Strikers Enter Second Week

Baxter Hunger strikers issue statements enter second week

"At the start of the second week of the hunger strike at the Baxter detention centre, still 25 Iranians are on a hunger strike."

"A statement by representatives of DIMIA, the Immigration department, as aired on ABC Radio yesterday, that those who have stitched their lips (five of the Iranians according to Project SafeCom information) are not counted amongst the hunger strikers should be regarded as "government spin" because stitching up lips is of course a deliberate act of forcibly stopping the intake of food."

Two statements have been received from the Iranians by Project SafeCom - they are reprinted below. Links to five images are also in this release for use by the media.

"Project SafeCom expresses extreme concern about the ongoing silence of the Immigration Minister, especially about the silence to the Australian public - no information is shared with the Australian public about the clear and unambiguous (and current) reports by many International human rights organisations that Iran is a country that imposes punishment, torture, imprisonment and death for 1) those who leave Iran without permission, 2) those who are political dissenters and 3) those who abandon Islam and join other religions, including Christianity."

"All Iranians in the Baxter detention centre fear persecution, and they all are left in limbo by the Immigration Minister about these fears. Project SafeCom is of the opinion that they need to be promised right now, that they will not be deported, and also, that all cases need to be re-opened immediately."

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