Five women protesting the confiscation of their property by Kazakhstan's government have suspended a hunger strike after 20 days.
The women in the capital, Astana, told RFE/RL they had started drinking water as of August 26 and are unable to continue their hunger strike. They said one needs medical attention and another is pregnant.
While suspending the strike, the women said they would continue their "fight." They are demanding proper compensation for property which has been or will be confiscated for what the government says are the needs of the state.
The women say confiscated land is often used to build private homes for government officials or well-connected businessmen.
They started the hunger strike on August 6 after a hard-won meeting with the chief of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's office, Nurlan Nyghmatulin, brought no result.