Thank you for posting your question to the New Tactics community, Jane!  As a community of practitioners interested in talking about tactics and strategy, I would be interested in hearing more about the context in which this tactic might be used.  What is the goal of this strike?  Of couse, if you don't feel comfortable talking about tactics that are being used as we speak, I certainly understand.  It would be great to hear from others about the impact that such tactics can have - both on their goals, targets and strategies, but also on the protesters. 

New Tactics is familiar with a coalition of human rights groups in Mongolia that had been employing hunger strikes as a tactic to effect change in their strategic situation.  The coalition was working to improve the situation for the disabled in Mongolia.  Not only was their tactic harmful to their supporters, but it was not effective.  When they were encouraged (by Amnesty International Mongolia) to explore other tactics they were able to innovate and implement an impactful demonstration that led to media attention and stronger grassroots support.  You'll find more information on this example in our Stories of Impact section.

Are there other stories out there about the impact of hunger strikes?  What makes a tactic like this successful?

Thank you so much for your post and question.

I would like to recommend two organizations and sites that might be able to provide you with information on the two areas that you mentioned regarding hunger strikes:

• people who used hunger strikes (these are more related to case studies from the past and present that could provide you with additional insights regarding how useful and effective hunger strikes might be for the situation you are considering; and

A very recent example of a hunger strike related to pushing anti-corruption legislation in India can be found here:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1147494/1/.html

Additional historical cases of hunger strikes can be found on the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict website which also has informaton about how hunger strikes have been used in the context of movements and campaigns.

General Search on "hunger strikes" resulted in many references:
http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/component/search/hunger%2Bstrikes?ordering=&searchphrase=all

Specifically used in campaigns:
http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/movements-and-campaigns/movements-and-campaigns-summaries?catid=19

For more information contact:
International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
P.O. Box 18218
Washington, DC 20006
office: USA + 202-416-4720
email: icnc (at) nonviolent-conflict.org

• professionals willing to monitor those carrying out a hunger strike

Physicians for Human Rights may be a good best to start to discuss how professionals can be engaged to monitor hunger strikers.

http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/

For information contact: Physicians for Human Rights
National Office
2 Arrow Street Suite 301
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: +1.617.301.4200

Washington Office
1156 15th Street, NW Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: +1.202.728.5335