Nauru blocks asylum protest boats

Australia has housed asylum seekers on Nauru since 2001

The Pacific island of Nauru has said it will not allow human rights activists to land there on World Refugee Day.

Two yachts have sailed from Australia to deliver gifts to children of asylum seekers held on the island.

Seven Iraqis are on hunger strike, after Australia - on whose behalf the detainees are held on Nauru - rejected their asylum claim.

A representative of the asylum seekers will be allowed to sail out and meet the Australians offshore.

However, the crew of the boats say that they will land illegally on Nauru.

The Eureka and the One Off sailed from Brisbane on 23 May, planning to arrive in Nauru on World Refugee Day, Sunday.

"We've got piles and piles of toys and gifts to give to the refugees and personal messages from the people from Australia," mission leader Stavros Georegopoulos told Radio Australia.

The voyage, dubbed the Flotilla of Hope, has the support of several refugee groups.

But Nauru denied the crew visas to land.

Nauru has been housing refugees seeking asylum in Australia since September 2001.

In return, Australia has made large aid payments to the impoverished island state.

Iraqis, Iranians, Palestinians and Pakistanis among those who have been held there while their applications are processed.

As well as the seven hunger strikers, there are 49 other Iraqis on Nauru who have had their asylum applications turned down.