ABOUT 60 people gathered at a Good Friday vigil outside Royal Perth Hospital where Iranian refugee Saeed Hassanloo remains “very near death” after a 41-day hunger strike.

The 25-year-old has refused to eat to protest his four-and-a-half years in various detention centres in Australia, including most recently at Yongah Hill, near Northam.

Last Saturday, Mr Hassanloo was separated from his older brother Majid, who was transferred from Yongah Hill to Christmas Island.

Refugee Rights Action Network activist Leonie Lundy said Mr Hasanloo went on his hunger strike and refused water around the time his brother was transferred.

“Saeed has been forced to go to this extreme because of the Australian government’s inhumane policies regarding asylum seekers,” Ms Lundy said.

“The Iranian government won’t take them back unless they go back voluntarily.

“People, such as Saeed, fear for their lives, and health and safety if they return to Iran.

media_camera Iranian refugee Saeed Hassanloo is very near death at Perth Royal Hospital. Image supplied.

“It’s certainly an issue that has impacted heavily on Australia’s conscience.

“There was a lot of outrage across various levels of the community, from churches, refugee and human right advocates, also community members who were totally unaware of how drastic this situation is.”

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton reportedly said the government could not force the man to eat and he refused to be pressured into granting him a visa.

RPH declined to comment when asked what Mr Hassanloo’s latest condition was on Saturday morning.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection said it was working closely with its service provider and medical staff to ensure Mr Hassanloo was receiving the “most appropriate care possible”.

“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 Department spokesperson said.

Originally published as Dozens gather for refugee vigil