As Laila Soueif enters the 150th day of her agonising hunger strike, the atmosphere thickens with worry as she finds herself in a hospital bed, weighed down by the toll of her protest against her son Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s imprisonment. At 68, Laila has shed nearly 30kg, surviving solely on herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts since her fast began on 29 September. Her health has plummeted with dangerously low blood pressure and sugar levels, prompting her hospitalisation at St Thomas’.
Just before her significant meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 14 February, Laila had a moment of hope, receiving his personal commitment to advocate for Alaa’s release. However, her daughter Mona Seif’s voice echoes a haunting plea: “We are running out of time,” illustrating the urgency of the situation as Laila’s health deteriorates rapidly and alarmingly.
As the whispers of Laila’s struggle gain momentum, a coalition of 25 human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, urges UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to leverage the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) event to demand justice. Together, they authored a poignant letter calling for a united front against Egypt’s oppressive climate, stressing the ongoing repression that stifles dissent and silences voices.
The letter implores Lammy to take a stand, advocating for Alaa’s release after his unjust five-year sentence which should have concluded in September 2024, especially as his mother’s life hangs precariously in the balance. This admonition is amplified as the 58th session of the UN HRC unfolds in Geneva from 24 February to 4 March, marking a pivotal moment for advocacy and action against human rights violations in Egypt.
Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, is hospitalised after 150 days of hunger strike, highlighting her severe health crisis. Amid pressure for Alaa’s release, a coalition of 25 organisations calls on UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate for justice at the UN Human Rights Council. Laila’s deteriorating health adds urgency to demands for action against ongoing repression in Egypt.
The unfolding crisis surrounding Laila Soueif’s hunger strike underscores the dire need for immediate action regarding her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s unjust imprisonment. As Laila’s health falters, the urgent call for international intervention grows louder, with prominent organisations rallying to pressure UK officials. At this critical juncture, the hope for Alaa’s release and safeguarding Laila’s life intertwines in a broader fight for human rights in Egypt.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
