5 Jan 2004

Six more hunger strikers give up their protest in Nauru

8:03 am on 5 January 2004

Australian officials say six more Afghan asylum seekers have ended their hunger strike in Nauru.

A spokesman for Australia's Immigration Department said four pulled out a few days ago.

She said 35 detainees were still on the hunger strike.

The Australian Associated Press says eight people are in hospital for rehydration.

But the Australian officials say none of them are in a serious condition.

Reports in the Dominion Post newspaper last week quoted several hunger strikers who said they would sew their eyes together, in addition to their lips, if their concerns were not addressed.