German police clear the camp of hunger striking asylum seekers in Munich on June 30, 2013.
German police have cleared a camp where asylum seekers have been on hunger strike for a week calling for changes to Germanyâ„¢s refugee policy.
The raid in the city of Munich took place early on Sunday morning on central Rindermarkt Square, where about 50 protesters had camped out, refusing to eat and drink.
According to city spokesman, Stefan Hau, 44 of the protesters were admitted to 12 hospitals.
Passers-by say they have been concerned about the health of the protesters as many of them had earlier in the week been taken to hospital because of the effects of the extreme hunger.
The hunger strikers protested against not being able to work while their asylum applications were being processed and that the decision took too long.
The group originally demanded the right to asylum in Germany, but later signaled that they would accept residence permits issued on humanitarian grounds instead.
Talks between authorities and the hunger strikers, mostly from Africa and Asia, broke down late on Saturday after it became clear that they would not be granted residence permits.
CAH/SS
Republished with permission from:: Press TV