Monday, September 03, 2007



Is Labour going to let Ali Panah die?

Ali Reza Panah is now on the 53rd day of his hunger strike against his indefinte detention under immigration laws. According to Wikipedia, the estimated limit for a hunger strike is 60 days. People have lasted longer (the world record is 94 days), but its not likely. So, if his hunger strike continues, then sometime in the next two or three weeks Ali Reza Panah will likely starve to death.

What I'm wondering is whether the Labour Party is willing to see that happen. Are they so bereft of compassion that they will let a man die, just to prove that they are "hard", and that we are not a "soft touch" for refugees?

If so, then they will have finally and absolutely proven themselves to be a party without a soul.