In the Baxter Immingration Detention Centre in South Australia, detainees have been refusing food as a part of their action to gain asylum in Australia, and a prominent member of the Australian Democrats party has just joined them.

Australian Democrats senator Andrew Bartlett is staging a hunger strike to support asylum seekers at the centre. Reports say up to 27 ‘detainees’ are involved in the fortnight-long hunger strike, with claims that some have even stitched their lips together.

Refugee advocates say some small progress has been made, with the three Iranian men who spent the past week striking on the roof of the centre abandoning their quest in the extreme heat.

Senator Bartlett told ABC Radio Australia that he was protesting about the conditions for asylum seekers at the centre, and was not encouraging them to hunger-strike. He said he had in the past always encouraged detainees to ‘find other ways’ to make their dissatisfaction known.

With their claims ranging from mistreatment to malnutrition, prejudice, inhumane treatment and more, the detainees now have a high-profile, albeit somewhat controversial advocate for their campaign.

 “I don't encourage detainees to go on hunger strikes. I've always encouraged them in the past not to do that, to pursue other means and I continue to encourage them not to do that, but to indicate to them that we'll continue to support them." Senator Bartlett told ABC Radio this morning.

"The (Australian) government and the (Immigration) department act close to Christmas, act in the night, act on the weekends and attempt to try and get away with what they're doing with less scrutiny.”

“Part of my job is to highlight what they're doing and ensure there is scrutiny of incredibly callous and inhumane acts."

*All Quotes from: Link