Kazakh Hunger Strikers Demand Government Help With Mortgages

ALMATY -- Activists of Kazakhstan's Housing For People movement have resumed their hunger strike in Almaty, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

The 15 hunger strikers, mainly women, are demanding the government's direct involvement in the solution of issues surrounding troubled mortgages.

One of the hunger strikers, Shynsulu Nyghmetova, told RFE/RL that due to the economic crisis many in Kazakhstan have been unable to pay their mortgage debts to their banks and therefore the government should get involved to help the people.

According to Nyghmetova, the hunger strikers are demanding a three- to four-month pause in mortgage payments.

The hunger strike that resumed on March 18 is a continuation of a protest action that started on January 20.

On February 2, the hunger strikers suspended their protest action after the deputy mayor of Almaty, Serik Seydumanov, promised to find a solution to their problem.