July 7, 2002.
With extraordinary compassion and kindness to the refugees, the two South Australians, Craig Hendry and Jack Desbiolles, have been fasting since Monday. Craig and Jack have taken this action in solidarity with Woomera refugees who have been in hunger strike for two weeks. The two hunger strikers have been maintaining their vigil at the steps of South Australian Parliament House since the commencement of the solidarity action on Monday July 1, 2002.
Craig Hendry
The two hunger strikers believe that Australian Government's treatment of Woomera refugees is unjust and appeal to the government for leniency in dealing with refugees. By taking hunger strike action here in Adelaide, they wish to send a message of hope and solidarity to the refugees in Woomera who already are in their 14th day on hunger strike.
Woomera Immigration Detention Centre is located in the middle of South Australian desert 500km north of Adelaide. The Australian Federal Government is implementing the policy of long-term mandatory detention for asylum-seekers who arrived Australia by boat.
Since its opening, the Woomera Immigration Detention Centre has been rife with protests, hunger strikes and numerous cases of suicide attempt by the detainees. Of the latest, 190 detainees including children have been involved in the hunger strike. Fifty of the detainees have sewed their lips.
Since the beginning of the hunger strike in Adelaide, various South Australian refugee support groups have rallied behind the action of two activists. Flinders University Chilout Group and Refugee Action Collective (SA) have been mobilising to support with a National Day of Hunger Strike. The South Australian Justice for Refugees has also been planning to maintain a vigil in front of the Parliament House every evening in the next week. Many groups in other states are also planning for supportive actions.
Jack Desbiolles
The Network for International Protection of Refugees has asked the two hunger strikers if they wanted to convey any message to the people in Adelaide. Craig and Jack said that they are especially touched by the sincerity and commitment of individuals and organizations in Adelaide which support refugees. They also thank people who have rang them and supported their action.
Craig and Jack can be contacted by mobile
040-881-1824 or you can visit South Australian Parliament House in Adelaide.