Member of Russia's Public Chamber urges Volgograd hunger-strikers to stop their action

Elena Topoleva, the head of the commission on social policy, labour relations and life quality of the Public Chamber of Russia, visited Volgograd on February 21 and urged the hunger-strikers to stop their protest.

"All the demands are negotiable – to solve them, there's no need to resort to such method as hunger strike," the press service of the Public Chamber of Russia quotes Elena Topoleva as saying.

Let us remind you that on February 4 in Volgograd, 29 parents of many children and parents of children with disabilities went on an everyday hunger strike demanding to solve their housing and social problems; while 323 other people hold the so-called "fan-type" (alternating) hunger strike.

"The everyday hunger strike to date is held by 27 people; the alternating one – by 334 people," Elena Samoshina, a hunger-striker, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The hunger-strikers admit that they could change the protest format.

"We think about changing the format of the action; or to make the whole action alternating," said Nikolai Shamaev, a protester. "The health of people is priceless. I almost cannot stand already; same with other protesters. In the near future, but not before Monday (February 24), we'll make a statement on the matter. What is clear is that officials would not care about us."