Laila Soueif has been hospitalized after 150 days of hunger strike protesting her son Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s imprisonment in Egypt. Having lost nearly 30 kilograms, her health has drastically declined, prompting calls for her son’s release from a coalition of human rights organizations. UK officials are being urged to use the UN Human Rights Council platform to advocate for Abd el-Fattah’s freedom, highlighting the urgent human rights concerns in Egypt.
Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, was hospitalized just before the 150th day of her hunger strike, which she initiated to protest her son’s detention in Egypt. At the age of 68, Soueif has lost close to 30 kilograms since commencing her strike on September 29. Her daughter reported that she was admitted to St. Thomas’ hospital due to critically low blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Laila, a mathematics professor, has subsisted on herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts during her hunger strike, which began following the Egyptian authorities’ failure to release her son on time. Soueif had a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on February 14, during which he expressed his personal commitment to advocating for Alaa’s release.
Mona Seif, Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s sister, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are running out of time.” In light of Laila’s health crisis, Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, noted the severity of the circumstances, stating, “Laila’s sudden deterioration in health is incredibly worrying. It should never have come to this.”
On the same day as Laila’s hospitalization, 25 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to take a stance at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), which he is attending. The coalition, organized by FairSquare, implored the Foreign Secretary to advocate for Alaa’s release and to lead a joint statement condemning Egypt’s systemic repression.
The letter highlights that the HRC is a critical platform for states to condemn human rights abuses, emphasizing that Egyptian authorities have arrested thousands, including journalists and peaceful protesters. The organizations reflected their concern for Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who remains imprisoned despite having completed his unjust five-year sentence in September 2024, particularly given the alarming health risks posed to his mother, Laila Soueif, due to her ongoing hunger strike.
Laila Soueif’s deteriorating health amidst her hunger strike underscores the urgent need for action to secure her son Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s release. The coalition of 25 organizations has implored UK officials to advocate at the UN Human Rights Council against Egypt’s oppressive policies. This situation not only reflects the health risks Laila faces but also the broader issue of human rights violations in Egypt that warrants immediate attention.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
