Despite deteriorating health due to her month-long hunger strike, Laila Soueif remains unwavering in her quest to secure the release of her son, Alaa Abdel Fattah, currently imprisoned in Egypt. Soueif is calling on UK leadership to intervene, holding steadfast to her position even as concerns mount over her life.
Mother Continues Hunger Strike for Son's Freedom, Risks Death
Mother Continues Hunger Strike for Son's Freedom, Risks Death
Laila Soueif, the mother of jailed activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, vows to persist with her hunger strike despite alarming health warnings.
In a heartfelt statement, 69-year-old Laila Soueif, a British-Egyptian maths professor, is speaking out from St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, where she is being treated after eight months without food. With mounting health concerns, including a risk of sudden death, Soueif insists that she will not relent until justice is served for her son, Alaa Abdel Fattah, a prominent political prisoner in Egypt.
Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been imprisoned for nearly a decade due to his outspoken support for democracy, was sentenced to an additional five years for sharing a Facebook post regarding the torture-related death of another prisoner. His last sentence began after his family asserted that time served during pre-trial detention should count toward his imprisonment.
Soueif initiated her hunger strike in September 2024, the month when her son’s sentence was expected to conclude. Widespread calls for his release have arisen not only from Laila but also from other advocates, including MPs in the All Party Parliamentary Group and various human rights organizations. They highlight Egypt's disregard for basic human rights and urge more robust diplomatic action from the UK government.
After months of consuming minimal sustenance, Soueif’s condition led to a brief resumption of intake before she reverted to a full hunger strike when no tangible progress was made. Amid her harrowing battle, her daughter Sanaa Seif reported an alarming decline in her mother's health, stating, “It’s very scary,” and detailing how Laila is making farewells to family.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has condemned Abdel Fattah's imprisonment as a violation of fundamental freedoms. Despite these cries for help, contact with him remains severely restricted. Allegations of human rights abuses complicate diplomatic relations, leaving families like the Soueifs feeling hopeless.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been called upon to leverage diplomatic channels to facilitate Abdel Fattah’s release, yet his family's frustration with the government's slow response lingers. Sanaa expressed her belief that time is running out and her frustration is directed toward the Foreign Office for its past inaction.
Expressing profound fear but pride in her mother’s determination, Sanaa urges immediate action, stating, “Alaa needs to be out of prison.” Meanwhile, Laila’s love for her son fuels her resolve. In her poignant message, she stated, “Use my death as leverage to get Alaa out.” As she confronts the possibility of an untimely end, her fight brings attention to the wider plight of political prisoners in Egypt, reinforcing the desperate need for change.
Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been imprisoned for nearly a decade due to his outspoken support for democracy, was sentenced to an additional five years for sharing a Facebook post regarding the torture-related death of another prisoner. His last sentence began after his family asserted that time served during pre-trial detention should count toward his imprisonment.
Soueif initiated her hunger strike in September 2024, the month when her son’s sentence was expected to conclude. Widespread calls for his release have arisen not only from Laila but also from other advocates, including MPs in the All Party Parliamentary Group and various human rights organizations. They highlight Egypt's disregard for basic human rights and urge more robust diplomatic action from the UK government.
After months of consuming minimal sustenance, Soueif’s condition led to a brief resumption of intake before she reverted to a full hunger strike when no tangible progress was made. Amid her harrowing battle, her daughter Sanaa Seif reported an alarming decline in her mother's health, stating, “It’s very scary,” and detailing how Laila is making farewells to family.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has condemned Abdel Fattah's imprisonment as a violation of fundamental freedoms. Despite these cries for help, contact with him remains severely restricted. Allegations of human rights abuses complicate diplomatic relations, leaving families like the Soueifs feeling hopeless.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been called upon to leverage diplomatic channels to facilitate Abdel Fattah’s release, yet his family's frustration with the government's slow response lingers. Sanaa expressed her belief that time is running out and her frustration is directed toward the Foreign Office for its past inaction.
Expressing profound fear but pride in her mother’s determination, Sanaa urges immediate action, stating, “Alaa needs to be out of prison.” Meanwhile, Laila’s love for her son fuels her resolve. In her poignant message, she stated, “Use my death as leverage to get Alaa out.” As she confronts the possibility of an untimely end, her fight brings attention to the wider plight of political prisoners in Egypt, reinforcing the desperate need for change.
