Last month, Taiwan hosted RightsCon, where a collective call for the immediate release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah echoed through the conference halls. Various digital rights and social justice organisations united, voicing the urgent need for his release from illegal detention in Egypt. Alaa’s mother, Laila Soueif, who has been on a hunger strike for 158 days, implored attendees, “As Alaa’s mother, I thank you for your solidarity and ask you to not give up until Alaa is out of prison.” Sadly, she was admitted to hospital the following day due to severe health issues.
During the event’s opening ceremony, Alejandro Mayoral Baños, Executive Director of Access Now, reinforced Alaa’s precarious situation, urging for his freedom. The moving narrative was further strengthened by Laila’s heartfelt appearance, alongside a video showcasing Alaa’s pivotal contributions to digital rights. The rallying calls continued during the closing keynote address by Sara Alsherif, the Migrant Digital Justice Programme Manager at Open Rights Group, who reminisced about Alaa’s early activism, underscoring the intertwining of digital rights with broader human rights struggles. She poignantly reminded the audience, “Alaa could be any one of us … Please do for him what you would want us to do for you if you were in his position.”
With Laila hospitalised, pressure mounted on UK Prime Minister Starmer to engage directly with Egyptian President Sisi. One day after the conclusion of RightsCon, the UK government confirmed that Alaa’s case had been addressed, with Starmer advocating for Alaa’s freedom. Alaa’s wrongful imprisonment, since September 29, stems from a five-year sentence for sharing a Facebook post regarding a police custody death, a situation exacerbated by the Egyptian government’s refusal to acknowledge Alaa’s British citizenship.
Laila and Alaa’s family, in collaboration with advocacy groups, have tirelessly pressed the British government for his release. On December 12, Laila commenced daily protests outside the Foreign Office, drawing support from numerous MPs. Despite remaining in the hospital, she agreed to take glucose after Starmer’s call, showing willingness to end her hunger strike should substantial progress occur.
As of March 6, Laila shifted to a partial hunger strike of 300 calories per day, buoyed by a glimmer of hope for Alaa’s situation. Tragically, Alaa began a hunger strike in prison on March 1 upon learning of his mother’s health crisis. Laila warned that without swift action, she would revert to a total hunger strike, seeking to amplify their calls for justice. Alaa’s sister, Sanaa, who previously endured unjust imprisonment, managed to visit him on March 8.
If you reside in the UK, consider reaching out to your MP to advocate for Alaa’s release through this link: https://freealaa.net/message-mp. Additionally, supporters worldwide can amplify Alaa and Laila’s plight by using the hashtags FreeAlaa and SaveLaila on social media. Involvement in their campaign via actions such as purchasing Alaa’s book, participating in a one-day solidarity hunger strike, or signing up for updates could prove pivotal. The urgency of time cannot be overstated; every moment counts in the fight for Alaa’s freedom.
RightsCon in Taiwan emphasised the urgent release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah from detention in Egypt, with compelling testimonies from his mother, Laila Soueif, and various digital rights advocates. Calls for action, including pressures on UK leadership, stirred movement towards addressing Alaa’s wrongful incarceration, further complicated by Laila’s ongoing hunger strike for his freedom.
In summary, the RightsCon conference served as a powerful platform for highlighting the urgent case of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, focusing on calls for his immediate release from unjust detention. Alaa’s mother, Laila, has taken drastic measures, including a hunger strike, to advocate for her son’s freedom. Both Alaa and Laila’s stories have captured attention worldwide, fostering a wave of support and solidarity. The campaign continues to rally urgent actions from the public and political figures alike, emphasising the critical nature of Alaa’s situation as time runs out.
Original Source: www.eff.org
