The Australian Minister for Immigration announced that the health condition of a young Iranian asylum seeker who has been on a hunger strike for 40 days is improving, but emphasized that his action will not affect the outcome of his asylum case. On Tuesday, April 18, French news agency reported, citing Peter Dutton, that the young Iranian, named Saeed Hasanlu, is 25 years old. Dutton stated, 'I was informed last night that Saeed has accepted medical assistance and his health is improving.' Saeed Hasanlu arrived in Australia in 2010 and despite claiming that he would face persecution upon returning to Iran due to converting to Christianity, his asylum request in Australia was denied. Ian Rintoul, a member of the 'Refugee Action Coalition', told the French news agency that the final outcome of Saeed Hasanlu's asylum request is still unclear, and he has gone on a hunger strike primarily due to the prolonged duration of his detention and the uncertainty surrounding it. Saeed Hasanlu is the second Iranian asylum seeker in Australia to undertake a long-term hunger strike in recent months; a 33-year-old Iranian did the same in January. The Australian Minister for Immigration further stated regarding Saeed Hasanlu's hunger strike that 'it has been decided that he is not eligible for asylum and therefore will not remain in Australia.' Dutton added, 'Millions want to come to Australia for a better life, but I cannot allow people to harm themselves and refuse food and liquids to force me.' He continued, 'The department has strongly warned me that if I yield to these pressures, I will face hunger strikes from hundreds, if not thousands, tomorrow.' Asylum seeker lawyers say that currently about 45 Iranian asylum seekers in Australia are in indefinite detention, as they refuse to return to Iran despite their asylum requests being denied. In this context, some asylum seekers in 'Papua New Guinea' have sewn their lips together, and one Iranian asylum seeker in Australia requested not to regain consciousness if he falls into a coma. The United Nations has reported that the conditions for asylum seekers in Australia's island camps are brutal, with violence and sexual abuse reported in the refugee camps.
40-Day Hunger Strike of Iranian Asylum Seeker in Australia 'Ineffective'
Saeed Hasanlu, a 25-year-old Iranian asylum seeker in Australia, has been on a 40-day hunger strike to protest the indefinite detention and denial of his asylum request. Despite his deteriorating health, the Australian Immigration Minister stated that his actions will not influence the asylum process. This situation highlights the ongoing struggles faced by Iranian asylum seekers in Australia.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Saeed Hasanlu, a 25-year-old Iranian asylum seeker, has been on a 40-day hunger strike in Australia to protest his indefinite detention and the denial of his asylum request. Despite his deteriorating health, the Australian government has stated that his actions will not influence the outcome of his case.
- Saeed Hasanlu's asylum request was denied despite fears of persecution in Iran due to his conversion to Christianity.
- There are currently about 45 Iranian asylum seekers in indefinite detention in Australia.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iranian asylum seekers often flee due to persecution related to political beliefs, religious conversion, or other human rights abuses. Australia's immigration policies have been criticized for their harsh treatment of asylum seekers.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%