ACTIVISTS across Britain will take part in a 24-hour fast on International Women’s Day this week in solidarity with Yarl’s Wood hunger strikers.

Migrants’ rights campaigners have united with the friends of those in the detention centre to call the Freedom Fast for Thursday. They are urging “all people of conscience" to join.

Over 100 Yarl's Wood inmates have been on hunger strike since February 21 against the “inhumane” conditions at the centre and the government's practice of indefinite detention. But the Home Office has refused to acknowledge their demands.

"We feel it is our responsibility to call the Home Office out, and take action with our bodies too," the Freedom Fast Yarl's Wood campaigners said in a statement.

"It is outrageous that 100 years after some women got the vote, elected governments can still openly enforce these inhumane and racist measures."

The Home Office attempted to deport two women yesterday before their cases were complete. The attempt was halted due to pressure from campaigners and MPs.

Britain is the only country in Europe which continues to detain people indefinitely. The practice is opposed by Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru.  

Some of the demands include an end to charter flights, snatching people from their beds in the night, an end to menial work for £1 per hour and and to stop detaining vulnerable people and victims of abuse.

They are also asking for adequate healthcare and amnesty for people who have lived in Britain for more than 10 years.