Hunger striker supporters rally

Mr Ghafor is now entering his sixth week of hunger strike

Supporters of a Kurdish Iraqi man who has sewn-up his mouth in a bid to stay in Britain are holding a public rally.

Naseh Ghafor, 20, began a hunger-strike on 8 July after his application for asylum was refused and he was told he had no right of appeal.

His supporters hope the rally in Verdon Street Community Centre, Burngreave, Sheffield, will put pressure on the Home Secretary to intervene.

Mr Ghafor claims it is not safe for him to return to Iraq.

Medical attention

Sue Taylor, from the Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers, said Mr Ghafor's deteriorating health had left him in a "dangerous condition".

"His condition is so serious at this moment this is an emergency meeting because he is now near to death," she told BBC News Online.

"It is now 37 days [since the start of his hunger strike] and we are seriously concerned about his health.

"Naseh is getting medical attention but he has severe physical and mental health problems."

Community support

Mr Ghafor says he fled to Britain after seeing his father and brother shot dead under Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. He claims his sister and mother disappeared.

A decision to refuse Mr Ghafor permission to stay in the country was given in March.

"The aim [of the rally] is to gather together people from all different communities - Kurdish groups, local residents, local unions, charities and faith groups - to show that we are not prepared to just let this man die," Mrs Taylor added.

"We need the maximum support possible for Naseh in order to make Mr Blunkett see the justice of his case.

Hundreds of people have already signed a petition in support of Mr Ghafor, she said.