'Dramatic measure', 'personal decision', 'dignity': reactions to hunger strike

The Catalan government and parties have taken sides on the hunger strike started by two pro-independence jailed leaders on Saturday, and while they have received the backing of several politicians, none has explicitly criticized the protest.

The Catalan president, Quim Torra, supported the strike started by Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Turull on the grounds that "criminal law is being used for vengeance, establishing a makeshift legality in order to attack political dissidence."

"This dramatic and drastic measure being taken is because of what we find to be the complete violation of citizens’ rights, civil and political rights, and of respect for the legal processes of the Spanish state itself," he added in a statement.

"The Spanish judicial authorities are committing one of the worst outrages seen in Europe in recent years," said Torra supporting as well the reasons for the protest.

"Path of repression" needs to end, says VP

Quim Torra is member of the Junts per Catalunya candidacy, the one also including Jordi Turull and Jordi Sànchez.

His vice president, Esquerra's Pere Aragonès, called the Spanish Socialist government to undo "the path of repression" started by its precedent People's Party executive.