Sri Lankan Tamil refugees detained on the island of Sagos, which Britain claims as its own, are on a hunger strike.
The Guardian reports that 42 members of a group of 89 Sri Lankans are on a hunger strike.
Sri Lankan Tamil refugees detained for the past seven months at a military base on the British-owned island of Sagos have begun a hunger strike to express their plight.
Last October, a boat carrying 89 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from Tamil Nadu to Canada capsized in the Mediterranean and was rescued by British troops and taken to Diego Garcia.
Their contacts with the outside world have been limited since they were taken to the Diogo Garcia military base, which is under the control of US troops. For the first six weeks, no one was able to contact them, according to Lay Day, a British law firm representing Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
It is learned that they have informed the authorities that they are seeking international protection as they are being housed inside tents outside the island.
But the UK-based law firm said no action had been taken to help them file asylum.
Leighty, a British company, has written three letters to the British Foreign Secretary and the PIOD Commissioner regarding Sri Lankan refugees.
The British law firm said in a letter that the deportation of Tamil refugees to Sri Lanka would have a detrimental effect on them and that it was contrary to Britain’s obligations under domestic and foreign law.
The UK-based company said in a letter this week that those we represent are increasingly pessimistic about the issues they are experiencing in Diego Garcia and the lack of progress in finding a solution for them.
We would like to remind you that there are 20 children under the age of ten who are victims of torture among Sri Lankan refugees. The UK agency said in a letter that the mood of many of them could be described as very pessimistic.
They question what Britain will do if they die on the island. The British company said in a letter that some people had demanded that their bodies be donated to British citizens if they died.
We work tirelessly to find an end to the current situation. Their safety and well-being have always been our priority. A British government spokesman said it had provided 24-hour medical care.