Laila Soueif is on a 74-day hunger strike in London, urging the UK government to act on behalf of her son, Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who has been imprisoned in Egypt since 2019. With little progress from authorities, she emphasizes the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to secure his release.
Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist, has been imprisoned in Egypt since September 29, 2019, largely due to his vocal criticism of the government. His mother, Laila Soueif, aged 68, is currently on a hunger strike that has lasted 74 days, demanding the British government take decisive action to secure her son’s release before her health deteriorates further. Ms. Soueif has escalated her protests by regularly attending the Foreign Office in London, emphasizing her desperate plea for intervention from Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The Free Alaa campaign has indicated Ms. Soueif will persist with her protests until she either receives communication from government officials or suffers a medical emergency. The campaign reiterated Ms. Soueif’s commitment to delivering daily updates regarding her health to the Foreign Office, stressing that action is urgent and necessary to prevent further suffering. Despite efforts made by the UK government in the past, including representations made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, there has been little progress in securing Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s release.
In light of the Prime Minister’s previous discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the G20 summit, advocates for Mr. Abd El-Fattah are concerned about the lack of significant developments regarding his case. As articulated by Ms. Soueif, “I need David Lammy and Keir Starmer to free my son, before I collapse or am hospitalised.”
In response to inquiries in Parliament, Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer affirmed the government’s dedication to securing Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s release, noting that the case continues to be addressed at the highest diplomatic levels. The ongoing lack of action has prompted criticism from Amnesty International UK, whose head of government affairs, Karla McLaren, stated, “It’s heartbreaking that Laila is having to put herself through this ordeal in order to win Alaa’s freedom.” The plea for prioritizing Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s release is becoming increasingly urgent as his health and that of his mother hangs in the balance.
The article highlights the plight of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist who has faced imprisonment for nearly a decade due to his opposition to Egypt’s government. His mother, Laila Soueif, has initiated a hunger strike, underscoring the personal and emotional toll of the situation while drawing attention to the inaction of the UK government regarding her son’s imprisonment. The article serves to illuminate the intersections of human rights advocacy and diplomatic relations, especially within the context of international activism for political prisoners.
In summary, Laila Soueif’s hunger strike represents a poignant call for action regarding her son Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s unjust imprisonment in Egypt. Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, significant progress remains elusive, prompting urgent appeals from both Ms. Soueif and advocacy groups. As the situation continues to develop, the responsibility lies with the UK government to prioritize the release of Mr. Abd El-Fattah and address the concerns raised by Ms. Soueif and human rights advocates.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
