Refugee Action Coalition Media Release 24/06/2021
Thirteen Medevac refugees remain on hunger strike in MITA as the protest enters its seventh day. The fourteenth Medevac hunger striker remains in hospital after being taken there two days ago (Tuesday 22, June). Another hunger striker was taken to hospital after an ambulance was called to MITA last night (23 June) around 8pm.
There are growing concerns over the welfare of the hunger strikers. After eight years in detention being denied medical treatment, their physical and mental health situation is badly compromised; some are already severely underweight. Besides the two in hospital, five others have been hospitalised for short periods of time.
“All the Medevac refugees should be freed from detention,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “The hunger strike is a last resort to put their situation as strongly as they can to a government that brought them to Australia for medical treatment two years ago, but has done nothing but prolong their mistreatment. “The fate of the 90 Medevac refugees in detention is in the hands of the Home Affairs Minister.” For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713