245 Days Without Justice: Laila Soueif’s Hunger Strike and the Fight to Free Alaa Abd el-Fattah

1 day 3 hours ago

Laila Soueif has now been on hunger strike for 245 days. On Thursday night, she was taken to the hospital once again. Soueif’s hunger strike is a powerful act of protest against the failures of two governments. The Egyptian government continues to deny basic justice by keeping her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, behind bars—his only “crime” was sharing a Facebook post about the torture of a fellow detainee. Meanwhile, the British government, despite Alaa’s citizenship, has failed to secure even a single consular visit. Its muted response reflects an unacceptable unwillingness to stand up for the rights of its own citizens.

This is the second time this year that Soueif’s health has collapsed due to her hunger strike. Now, her condition is dire. Her blood sugar is dangerously low, and every day, her family fears it could be her last. Doctors say it’s a miracle she’s still alive.

Her protest is a call for accountability—a demand that both governments uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not only in rhetoric, but through action.

Late last week, after an 18-month investigation, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) issued its Opinion on Abd el-Fattah’s case, stating that he is being held unlawfully by the Egyptian government. That Egypt will not provide the United Kingdom with consular access to its citizen further violates the country’s obligations under international law. 

As stated in a letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by 21 organizations, including EFF, the UK must now use every tool it has at its disposal to ensure that Alaa Abd el-Fattah is released immediately.

Jillian C. York

【お知らせ】戦争止めよう! 知り、つながり、止める! 市民交流集会

1 day 6 hours ago
 2年前の11月23日、沖縄での「沖縄を再び戦場にさせない県民大集会」を契機に、西日本各地で軍事化の進む現場の市民同士が、互いの状況を知り、連携をすすめてきました。 この各地の市民運動団体が、今年2月22日に鹿児島で「戦争止めよう! 沖縄・西日本ネットワーク」を結成し、今回、6月6日、政府交渉に臨みます。 東京で運動をされている皆さん! 沖縄・西日本の状況を知り、つながり、共に、日米の戦争準備を止めていきましょう! 中国との戦争ではなく平和外交を!◆6・6政府交渉日時:6月6..
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