Defenders of Ukrainian language stop hunger strike in Kyiv

"We want to thank everyone who supported our protest in defense of the Ukrainian language both in word and deed - to those who brought food, gifts, umbrellas, water, and sleeping mats. You helped and supported us a lot. Thanks to you, it has been easier for us to defend our rights. Special thanks to the journalists who came here every day and provided coverage of our activities. Special thanks to Last Barricade company for sound and support," reads a statement posted on Facebook.

At the same time, protesters say that they will reserve the area outside the Ukrainian House as a public platform, where anyone will be able to attend lectures and join creative activities.

The press service of the Ukrainian House public initiative told Interfax-Ukraine that they stopped the hunger strike due to the deterioration of the health of its participants. However, the activists decided that they would continue putting pressure on the government through other forms of protest.

As reported, the Ukrainian parliament adopted the language law, which allows more extensive use of the Russian language on July 3. A rally that gathered about 700 people started near the Ukrainian House immediately after the voting.

On July 6, the opposition political forces announced that the protest near the Ukrainian House was over. However, some citizens decided to continue the hunger strike near the Ukrainian House.

On July 11, the participants of the hunger strike demanded that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych put a veto on the bill on the principles of the state language policy.

Several people were hospitalized over the time of the hunger strike.