UK Border Agency Says Hunger Strike is Under Control

www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

For the past two days, twenty people have been on a hunger strike at the emigration center in Bedfordshire. This hunger strike is in effect to protest the standard of medical care that is given.

The 39 year old detainee, Melchior Singo of Malawi, said that people in the family unit would stop eating as of Monday. He went on to say that they are very angry about the sub standard health care. He also added that they are opposing the detention of children at the site as well.

A spokeswomen at the UK Border Agency said that all detainees have full access to snack bars, and the situation is well under control. She also went on to add that the medical facilities located there were as good as in the NHS.

Melchior Singo says that his nine-year-old daughter, Olger, was referred to an orthodontist before they were held at the emigration center. Since they have been at the center, she has been denied any kind of further treatment. He went on to say that medical attention is not given to them as a priority, but almost like an after thought. Singo also added that it's not a matter of not having health care, because they do; it's a matter of not having the right care that they need.

As an example, Singo said that if you are to fall ill after lunch time, the detainees are not allowed to see the nurse until the following day. This holds true even if its an urgent matter.

Of course, the health care is not the only thing that the detainees are protesting. They are also protesting children being held at the center, which is something that Children's Commission Sir Al Aynsley Green had called for many times.

For more information visit: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk