12. Hunger strikes 83 Letter of the hunger strikers »We have to struggle for our rights!« B.M., from Iran ■ After spending 100 days in detention, B.M. was informed that his asylum claim was rejected at first instance, even though he had with him documents that provided concrete proof of his asylum application. As a journalist and a blogger supporting the opposition, he was reporting on the controversial election results in 2009, and criticized the government for human rights violations. »I have taken part in protests against the government, written and distributed leaflets against the regime. Many of my colleagues were arrested. One of them was killed. I have been also arrested, detained and tortured in connection with dissident activity. Upon my release, I continued fighting for Iranians’ rights. My life was in danger. So I had no other option though than to flee my country and ask for protection in Europe. […] I was on a hunger strike for nine days and I had sewed my lips. We have to struggle for our rights. I was protesting against my detention. I and another hunger striker requested to see a doctor but it was denied. The police officers tried to remove the stitches from our lips, but we wouldn’t let them. Two of us decided to accept being deported as soon as possible, in order to get away from this place. After six days on hunger strike, the other two of us were brought to the hospital. I requested to talk to the hospital’s director. The police officers were surprised and afraid. We stayed for only five minutes in the hospital, without seeing any doctors and were immediately brought back to Soufli. With the stitches still on our mouths, one of the police officers said: »Stay here and die!« My friend got sicker quickly and there was no sign that they would transfer us to the hospital again. We decided to drink a bottle of Betadine that we found in the toilet. We finally saw a doctor. We agreed to remove the stitches for the benefit of our health. Since I’ve been in detention I’ve had one soap, one shampoo and a laundry detergent in pulverized soap to share