KL-bound asylum seekers reported on hunger strike
The first group of asylum seekers due to be sent to Malaysia have called for help and are starting a hunger strike, according to refugee advocates.
The first group of asylum seekers due to be sent to Malaysia have called for help and are starting a hunger strike, according to refugee advocates.
The initial boatload of asylum seekers to be processed under the Australian government's swap deal between Canberra and Kuala Lumpur arrived on Christmas island on Thursday.
It includes 18 minors or people claiming to be minors. Up to 14 of them are unaccompanied.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul claimed that advocates received a distress call from one of the asylum seekers on Friday.
"The short call said only, 'We are in a bad way; we need help. We are starting a hunger strike'," Rintoul is quoted by the Australian Associated Press as saying.
He called on the Australian government to give the group access to lawyers.
"The asylum seekers have committed no crime but are effectively being held incommunicado," Rintoul said.
- Bernama
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