Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Asylum seekers on Nauru call off mass hunger strike

Posted at 03:12 on 13 November, 2012 UTC

An asylum seeker on Nauru says about 250 hunger strikers at Australia’s detention centre on the island have ended their protest following news that Amnesty International will visit.

Nearly 400 asylum seekers are awaiting processing on Nauru after Australia moved to re-establish offshore camps to deter those trying to reach Australia.

A hunger-strike was launched nearly two weeks ago with numbers involved disputed by Australian authorities.

An asylum seeker, who gave his name as Muhammed, says when the men heard Amnesty International was planning to visit they felt their plight had been heard.

“They are just hoping that Amnesty International will do something. I think they will see the condition of us and they will let the media know about the reality and they will be able to put pressure on the government of Australia and to change the policy.”

Muhammed says one Iranian man remains in the detention centre on hunger strike and is on his 33rd day without food.