An asylum seeker from Iran is reportedly near death in a Perth hospital, after refusing food for 37-days.  Saeed Hassanloo fled Iran in 2009 and has been in detention for four and a half years, fighting for a visa to stay in Australia.

“The Government has made it very clear that when a person has exhausted all avenues to remain in Australia, they are expected to depart Australia,” a spokesman for the Department of Immigration told the ABC about Hassanloo’s case.  He is admitted to Royal Perth Hospital after being transferred from Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre on March 10.

Doctors reportedly determined he is sound of mine, which means that he is able to decide whether or not he wishes to eat.  That means officials cannot section him under the Mental Health Act and have him force-fed.  Doctors are afraid Hassanloo will not survive too much longer if he continues his hunger strike.