BRITAIN: More than 100 immigration detainees are believed to be on the sixth day of a hunger strike at a removal centre near Heathrow Airport, in London.
Inmates have signed a statement challenging the legality of their detention and a spokesman for the strikers said they were prepared to "die with hunger" rather than be deported. The protest began last Saturday, following a demonstration by 300 campaigners outside Colnbrook removal centre in Middlesex.
It is alleged that, during the demonstration, inmates at the centre were denied access to exercise yards and forbidden to look out of their windows.
A detainee has revealed some inmates were locked in their cells for refusing to comply with the instructions. In response, more than 120 detainees refused food on Saturday and supporters say the strike has continued, with inmates in all four wings participating.
The strikers say they hope a delegation from the home office will hear their demands for release from detention.