Laila Soueif, mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has been hospitalized after a 150-day hunger strike. She has lost significant weight and is now facing severe health issues. A coalition of 25 organizations is urging UK officials to advocate for her son’s release at the UN. The situation poses a critical threat to Laila’s life and highlights serious human rights concerns in Egypt.
Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a jailed Egyptian-British activist, has been hospitalized on the eve of the 150th day of her hunger strike. At 68 years old, she has lost nearly 30 kilograms since commencing her strike in September to protest her son’s ongoing imprisonment in Egypt. Doctors admitted her to St. Thomas’ hospital due to dangerously low blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as her daughter reported on social media.
Since September 29, Laila has only consumed herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts, following the Egyptian authorities’ failure to release Abd el-Fattah on the scheduled date. Recently, she met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pledged his personal support for her son’s release. The urgency of Laila’s health situation has drawn significant attention, emphasizing the intolerable conditions leading to her drastic measure.
In response to her deteriorating health, a coalition of 25 organizations, including Amnesty International, urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate for Alaa’s release at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session. Their letter implored Lammy to use this platform to lead a united statement condemning Egypt’s ongoing repression and to emphasize the urgent need for Abd el-Fattah’s freedom.
The coalition expressed that the HRC session, scheduled from February 24 to March 4, presents a crucial opportunity to highlight the Egyptian authorities’ crackdown on dissent and civil society. They noted that Abd el-Fattah remains unjustly imprisoned despite having completed his five-year sentence in September 2024, which raises alarming concerns about Laila Soueif’s health and well-being.
The health crisis faced by Laila Soueif underscores the urgent need for action regarding her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s imprisonment. The appeals from various human rights organizations highlight the ongoing repression in Egypt and call for a stronger response from the UK government. Immediate advocacy is necessary to address not only the unjust detention of Abd el-Fattah but also to safeguard the life of his mother, who is in grave condition due to her hunger strike.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
