Hunger strikers to be deported
2005-05-13 20:34
Madrid - A group of 26 Algerians who went on hunger strike in the Spanish north African enclave of Melilla last week to demand residence papers have been arrested and face deportation, a source at the reception centre housing them said on Friday.
The source said police interviewed the group on Thursday although the local police headquarters did not confirm the information.
A total of some 100 Algerians were on hunger strike at the centre protesting at what they deem discriminatory conditions regarding their attempts to regularise their situation in Spain.
Spain was processing about 700&nbs;000 applications by immigrant workers after a three-month one-off programme to give papers to those who were already in work and could satisfy various conditions, including residence of at least six months.