Laila Soueif, mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, has been hospitalized after 150 days of a hunger strike, raising serious health concerns. Following her meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, human rights organizations are pressuring UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate at the UN Human Rights Council for Alaa’s release amid ongoing repression in Egypt.
Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, has been hospitalized just hours prior to marking 150 days of her hunger strike, which she initiated in protest against her son’s imprisonment in Egypt. Since beginning her strike on September 29, she has reportedly lost nearly 30 kg due to her limited diet of herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts, following the Egyptian authorities’ failure to release her son as scheduled. Laila, 68, was admitted to St. Thomas’ Hospital after her blood sugar and blood pressure fell to dangerously low levels, as communicated by her daughter through social media.
Laila had met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on February 14, who assured her of his commitment to securing Alaa’s release. However, concern is growing among family members, with Alaa’s sister, Mona Seif, stating, “We are running out of time.” Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, has expressed grave concerns about Laila’s health deterioration, emphasizing that it should never have escalated to such a critical state.
Laila’s hospitalization coincided with a coalition of 25 human rights organizations urging UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to leverage his presence at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to advocate for Alaa’s release. This coalition, coordinated by FairSquare and including notable organizations such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, delivered a letter requesting Lammy to spearhead a strong resolution condemning Egypt’s ongoing repression. They highlighted the urgent need to address Alaa’s unjust incarceration and the significant health risks faced by Laila, whose hunger strike demands his freedom.
Laila Soueif’s hunger strike for her son, Alaa Abd El-Fattah, has drawn significant attention as it reaches a critical point with her hospitalization. Her health concerns have prompted international human rights organizations to call for action from UK officials. The ongoing repression in Egypt and the necessity for justice for both Alaa and Laila underscores the urgent need for global advocacy regarding human rights violations.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
