Conflicting reports on Eritrean 'hunger strikers'

There are conflicting reports over whether a group of 80 Eritrean illegal immigrants staying in Malta are on hunger strike or not.

The Network of Eritrean Civil Societies in Europe (NECS-Europe), based in London is claiming there are up to 80 illegal immigrants, including women and children, who have been on a hunger strike for several days.

The London-based association is claiming that the hunger strike was initiated in protest against the "harsh treatment" they are receiving from the government.

However, spokesmen for both the police and the armed forces yesterday denied there was any official hunger strike. Labour MP Joe Abela said in parliament yesterday there were hunger strikers but gave no further details.

Dawit Mesfin, coordinator officer at NECS-Europe, told The Times the Eritreans were going through another ominous situation in Malta. He said the organisation had written to human rights organisations on the matter. A delegation from the Human Rights Council of Europe was about to visit Malta to oversee the conditions of the remaining Eritreans detained on the island, he added.

"The NECS-Europe found out the number of people on hunger strike is around 80 adults. They are mainly protesting the 18 months of detention in Maltese barracks.

"Our activists and sister societies have launched a campaign which addresses the current status of Eritreans in Malta. NECS-Europe appreciates the fact that the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner has taken keen interest in the conditions of the remaining Eritrean nationals in Malta and will be sending a delegation to Malta soon.

"It is to be remembered that the government was inexcusably cruel in dealing with the Eritreans as they landed in the shores of Malta in 2001-2002. Around 223 had been deported back to Eritrea in 2002.

"Eritreans and friends of Eritrea protested strongly and appealed to international organisations for intervention. The deportees ended up in jail as soon as they arrived in Eritrea and were later relocated to different parts of Eritrea. They are still in jail and their family members are denied visiting rights," Mr Mesfin said.

NECS-Europe is the umbrella organisation of 12 civil societies located in seven European countries.