Press release from the Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq and the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees, 7/6/11.

24 Iraqi refugees held in a detention centre in Oxford have started a hunger strike to protest against the government’s plans to deport them to Baghdad. More than 70 people are currently being held in detention centres around the country. Officials from the Iraqi government are currently visiting them to confirm their identities so that they can be deported, as part of an agreement between the two governments.

The majority of the detainees have refused to meet with the officials in protest at their role in the deportations.

ASYLUM SEEKERS REACH DAY 32 OF HUNGER STRIKE & TAKE PROTEST TO HOME OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/5/11

Contact croydonnoborders@riseup.net or call 07928 102817 for more info

- Iranian pro-democracy activists refused asylum in UK reach day 32 of hunger strike against deportation

- Some of the men have become seriously ill, unable to walk and urinating blood

- Joined by supporters, they will take their protest to the Home Office in Westminster tomorrow from 2pm

Six Iranians have been on hunger strike in London since 05/04/2011.

Three of the hunger strikers are camped outside the UKBA offices in Croydon, the others are outside the offices of Amnesty International in central London.

Four of the hunger strikers have sewn their lips together. Two of them were taken to hospital by the police but doctors were not successful in convincing them to remove their stitches in order to eat.