Definition of the word hunger striker

The term "hunger striker" originated in the early 20th century during the Irish independence movement. Irish Nationalists, who were imprisoned by the British authorities, protested against their political imprisonment by refraining from eating in refusal of the food provided by the prison authorities. This form of protest became known as a "hunger strike." The first documented use of the term "hunger striker" is attributed to the Irish parliamentarian Terence MacSwiney, who died in 1920 after a 74-day hunger strike while imprisoned by the British authorities. The term "hunger striker" gained wider usage after the 1981 Hunger Strike, also in Northern Ireland, led by Bobby Sands and other Republican prisoners who demanded their status as political prisoners be recognized instead of criminals serving their sentences. The 1981 Hunger Strike gained international attention and galvanized support for the Irish republican cause. Today, the term "hunger striker" is used globally to describe individuals who engage in hunger strikes to highlight their political, social, or health-related causes, such as prison reform or access to healthcare. Hunger strikes have been used by activists and prisoners in various countries, including the United States, Sri Lanka, Cuba, and Israel, among others. While hunger strikes can be a powerful form of protest and draw global attention to the issues at stake, they also pose serious health risks, including malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, and organ failure, making them a last resort for many activists.