Earth Times
written by dpa
Tuesday September 21, 2010 at 06:22:22 GMT
Sydney - Eleven asylum seekers held at a Sydney detention centre threatened suicide Tuesday unless they are allowed to stay in Australia.
The nine Sri Lankan Tamils, one Iraqi and one Afghan spent their second day on the roof of the Villawood immigration detention centre Tuesday with some refusing food and water and cutting themselves.
The demonstration followed the death Monday of a 36-year-old Fijian who jumped from the roof in protest at his impending deportation.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul warned the men were desperate and might follow the Fijian in leaping to their deaths.
"Some of the men have indicated they are prepared to jump," he said. "We are just hoping it doesn't come to that."
The protestors have had their asylum claims rejected and are awaiting deportation.
Around 5,000 asylum seekers - mostly Sri Lankans, Afghans and Iraqis - are in detention, awaiting the outcome of their claims. Many arrived aboard fishing vessels from Indonesia, having paid people smugglers for their passage.
Boat arrivals are at their highest level since 2001 with more than 100 landings in the past 12 months.
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