Franak Viachorka: Hunger strike is the most effective form of protest in army

Commanders will do their best to prevent information about protests of soldiers to leak outside the military unit.

Journalist and former political soldier Franak Viachorka spoke to charter97.org about hungry strike of soldiers in military union 44540.

“There was a conflict when I was serving my kitchen duty in the army. I didn't know what happened. Soldiers declared a hungry strike and refused to eat. They protested against a ban to take leaves on weekends. I began to ask soldiers about it, and commanders called the initiators to talk to them. All were scared. I was asked not to write about it,” the young activist says.

He stressed that a hunger strike in the army is the only extreme form of protest that soldiers can have.

“Absence without leave is punished with transferring to a disciplinary battalion, initiating a criminal case and imprisonment. You cannot refuse to fulfil your duties, because you will be sent to a military detention facility or made to work by means of 'collective pressure'. A hunger strike is the most effective way to influence the situation. Commanders do their best to prevent information about such cases to leak outside the military unit. The army has to create an illusion that soldiers fulfil their duties obediently,” the journalist added.

The former political soldier thinks a similar situation took place in the military unit near Lapichy.

“When soldiers are not united, commanders increase pressure on hungry strike initiators. A hungry strike has sense only if all soldiers, both old and newly arrived, want it. As for reasons for protests, they can be various. Firstly, humiliating treatment from commanders. Secondly, enforced work that soldiers mustn't do or work at night. Thirdly, depriving soldiers of free time in the evening or depriving them of leaves. Other reasons are also possible,” Franak Viachorka says.

Soldiers of military unit 44540 near Lapichy declared a hunger strike due to unfair treatment from commanders.