Child refugees in suicide threat

A group of 15 children have threatened to commit suicide at a refugee detention centre at Woomera in Australia.

The crisis at the centre has deepened in the face of the Australian government's apparent inaction over processing visas for the asylum seekers, and the number of detainees on a hunger strike doubling.

As the hunger strike began its 14th day, Rob McDonald, a lawyer for the refugees, said: "We are talking about 15 unaccompanied children and they've all decided they want to suicide together unless they're released from the Woomera detention centre. The State Government has failed to respond to any calls to take them out of harms way."

Asked how the youngsters intend to commit suicide, Mr McDonald said: "Various methods have been mentioned - sharp implements, jumping off the razor wire and ingesting some substances." Several adult detainees were taken to hospital last week after swallowing detergent and painkillers.

More than 370 inmates are said to be on hunger strike, including 35 who have sewn their lips together. About 3,000 illegal immigrants, mainly from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and southern Asia, are in detention in Australia.

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