Hunger striking refugees forcibly taken to hospital

-- All of the hunger strikers in the Brussels refugee shelter Klein Kasteeltje/Petit Chateau were taken to hospital on Monday due to their critical health condition.

The decision was taken by the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil) in consultation with Social Integration Minister Christian Dupont for humanitarian, medical and hygiene reasons.

A total of 71 asylum seekers were staging a hunger strike in the refugee shelter. Some of them had not eaten for the past 35 days.

A prolonged hunger strike can cause serious and permanent physical and psychological problems and even death. --