The article doesn't say if they're able-bodied or not, but if they're walking around and getting beaten, then they're healthy enough to drink from a cup. That means that if they really wanted to die, they'd just do it. They wouldn't ask for permission. They're trying to bring attention to their issue, and they're right to do it.

I'd say that this was a brave thing to do, but it doesn't look like they're facing more brutal danger than they were before. Considering how little energy they must have, I can figure that it must be an exhausting thing to do. It's a major sacrifice for them to lodge this protest. I hope it pays off.