Abas Amini says he will take water if the government apologises

Abas Amini, from Sneinton in Nottingham, also began a hunger strike after the government appealed against his asylum claim.

The appeal failed on Thursday when an independent appeal tribunal ruled that Mr Amini can stay in the UK.

But Mr Amini says he will continue his hunger strike to highlight the plight of other refugees.

He has not eaten for eight days and has had no water for seven days, his supporters say.

The Kurdish dissident said he was prepared to take water if the government agreed to review its policy on asylum seekers and apologised.

'Regrettable' action

However, the Home Office said that, while it fully accepted the tribunal's decision, it could not discuss policy matters with Mr Amini.

A spokeswoman said in a statement: "There is no question of the government entering into negotiations about policy with Mr Amini.

This is not just my problem. It is the problem of all asylum seekers Abas Amini, protester

"It is regrettable that (he) feels it necessary to carry on with this course of action.

"His case has been determined in the normal way by independent adjudicators."

Mr Amini, who has a wife and three-year-old son in Iran, said he would be executed for his political past if he is sent back there.

A medical report supported his claims that he was tortured in Iran.

Abas Amini's tortured past

He said in a statement on Thursday: "I think the Home Office ought to come out with a full apology, not just to me, but to all asylum seekers for the way they have been treated.

"When I heard the news (about the appeal decision) I was saddened. It did not make me happy.

"Only when all asylum seekers facing the same problems have received a positive decision will I be happy.

"This is not just my problem. It is the problem of all asylum seekers."

'Unhappy' life

He wants the right to remain in the UK guaranteed for people who have come from countries like Iran or Afghanistan.

Mr Amini, who describes himself as a political poet, said: "As far as my own life went, I never had any happy times.

I hope one day Iran will become an example to the rest of the world Abas Amini

"My life in Iran has always been unhappy and difficult.

"The best thing I would wish for - whether I live or not - is one day to bring an end to 2,500 years of oppression and degradation (in Iran).

"I hope that one day Iran can be admitted to human society. I hope one day Iran will become an example to the rest of the world."

His protest is the first of its kind in the UK, although some asylum seekers in detention centres have gone on hunger strike over their treatment.

He escaped jail in Iran and headed for Britain two years ago, where he applied for asylum.

His eyelids have reportedly become infected, but he had been refusing to take medication.