Are hunger strikes an acceptable form of protest?
Friday, June 20
“Yes, if you have no other way to defend your interests. Some inmates in prison die of hunger anyway as they don’t give them enough food—so what can you do?”
Joni, worker, 43
“Depends on what your grievance is. I didn’t like the idea of the hunger strike in front of parliament—politicians should work things out differently, but in some cases you have no other choice.”
Eka, designer, 35
“I don’t like it. It’s bad for your health. Once I tried fasting and I thought I was about to die, so I can imagine what a hunger strike is like.”
Tamuna, student, 17
“Depends. If you really have a problem, I guess it’s okay, but generally it’s inhumane.”
Vakhtang, retiree, 83
“I think it’s a form of protest and a matter of choice. Everyone can protest however he or she chooses in a free country.”
Dato, student, 20
“No one wants to be a hunger striker, of course, it isn’t pleasant for anyone. But when a person feels he has no other opportunity to express his protest he goes on hunger strike. It’s for when there is no other way out.”
Medea, pensioner, 53
“It isn’t desirable of course, but everyone is deaf and blind in our country. They can’t hear our voice, our demands or requests. So, that’s why people often choose this form of protest.”
Maia, economist, 31
“Such protests have become part of our reality. Whether it is acceptable or not doesn’t matter. The fact is that people feel they need to do it.”
Manuchari, lawyer, 29
Joni, worker, 43
“Depends on what your grievance is. I didn’t like the idea of the hunger strike in front of parliament—politicians should work things out differently, but in some cases you have no other choice.”
Eka, designer, 35
“I don’t like it. It’s bad for your health. Once I tried fasting and I thought I was about to die, so I can imagine what a hunger strike is like.”
Tamuna, student, 17
“Depends. If you really have a problem, I guess it’s okay, but generally it’s inhumane.”
Vakhtang, retiree, 83
“I think it’s a form of protest and a matter of choice. Everyone can protest however he or she chooses in a free country.”
Dato, student, 20
“No one wants to be a hunger striker, of course, it isn’t pleasant for anyone. But when a person feels he has no other opportunity to express his protest he goes on hunger strike. It’s for when there is no other way out.”
Medea, pensioner, 53
“It isn’t desirable of course, but everyone is deaf and blind in our country. They can’t hear our voice, our demands or requests. So, that’s why people often choose this form of protest.”
Maia, economist, 31
“Such protests have become part of our reality. Whether it is acceptable or not doesn’t matter. The fact is that people feel they need to do it.”
Manuchari, lawyer, 29