ID :
84969
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 00:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/84969
The shortlink copeid
ILLEGAL SRI LANKAN IMMIGRANTS STOP HUNGER STRIKE
Cilegon, Indonesia, Oct 17 (ANTARA) - Illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka stopped their hunger strike on Saturday after meeting with representatives from the navy and the International of Migration.
The hunger strike done by male adults since Thursday aboard Jaya Lestary 5 boat that docked at Indah Kiat port in Merak, Banten, ended at 5.30pm, after their representative Alek met with the chief of the Banten naval base, Col S Irawan, head of the immigration division of the regional office of the ministry of justice and human rights, Harry Purwanto, and a representative from the IOM aboard naval ship KRI Teuku Umar.
The Sri Lankan immigrants totalling 255 were seeking an asylum in Australia.
"Today we will stop the hunger strike but we will remain on the boat and will not land," Alek said to newsmen after the meeting at the Indah Kiat port.
He said the action was not aimed at the Indonesian government or the Indonesian navy but for attracting international attention.
After the meeting Alek asked his fellows to take down the banner written "Hunger Strike for International Community" put on the roof of the boat's platform.
To all parties concerned Alek had asked for drinking water, blankets and food for 255 people on the boat. The IOM immediately sent what they demanded.
"We are thankful for it although we do not know until when we will be here," he said.
Alek said he would keep seeking an asylum to Australia as it was impossible for him and the others to return to their country.
"I and the others are wanted by the government while we are all civilians," he said to newsmen.***
The hunger strike done by male adults since Thursday aboard Jaya Lestary 5 boat that docked at Indah Kiat port in Merak, Banten, ended at 5.30pm, after their representative Alek met with the chief of the Banten naval base, Col S Irawan, head of the immigration division of the regional office of the ministry of justice and human rights, Harry Purwanto, and a representative from the IOM aboard naval ship KRI Teuku Umar.
The Sri Lankan immigrants totalling 255 were seeking an asylum in Australia.
"Today we will stop the hunger strike but we will remain on the boat and will not land," Alek said to newsmen after the meeting at the Indah Kiat port.
He said the action was not aimed at the Indonesian government or the Indonesian navy but for attracting international attention.
After the meeting Alek asked his fellows to take down the banner written "Hunger Strike for International Community" put on the roof of the boat's platform.
To all parties concerned Alek had asked for drinking water, blankets and food for 255 people on the boat. The IOM immediately sent what they demanded.
"We are thankful for it although we do not know until when we will be here," he said.
Alek said he would keep seeking an asylum to Australia as it was impossible for him and the others to return to their country.
"I and the others are wanted by the government while we are all civilians," he said to newsmen.***
