Asylum seekers in Australia hold rooftop protest

One protester was injured after he jumped or fell from a barbed wire fence during a rooftop protest at an Australian refugee detention centre.

The man, whose condition and nationality are not known, was taken to hospital. A camp guard was hurt after being hit by a rock apparently thrown by a protester.

At least 188 refugees at the Woomera detention camp in the Australian outback are on a hunger strike that entered its 11th day Saturday. They're protesting against the length of time asylum applications take and their incarceration during the process.

Dozens of refugees waved signs demanding "Freedom or Death" during the brief rooftop protest. The latest action comes after protesters tried to poison themselves by drinking detergent last week.

• FROM JAN. 24, 2002: Australia softens stance on asylum seekers

Despite the violence, immigration officials are not wavering in their refugee policy.

"They have come to a view that they might be able to influence us by continuing with this hunger strike," said Australian Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock. "That will not happen."

On Thursday, Australia lifted a freeze on processing the applications of Afghan refugees who are on a hunger strike. About 2,000 Afghans have sought asylum in Australia.