Laila Soueif, mother of jailed activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, is hospitalized on the 150th day of her hunger strike. Having lost significant weight, her health has alarmingly deteriorated. Human rights organizations are urging action from the UK government to advocate for Alaa’s release at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session, emphasizing the pressing human rights issues in Egypt.
Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has been hospitalized shortly before reaching the 150th day of her hunger strike. At 68 years of age, she has lost nearly 30 kilograms since commencing her strike in September. Soueif was admitted to St. Thomas’ Hospital due to critically low blood sugar and blood pressure levels, as reported by her daughter on social media platforms.
Despite her deteriorating health condition, Laila continues to protest her son’s imprisonment, which follows the failure of Egyptian authorities to release him on his designated date in September. Her diet has consisted solely of herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts during this period. Just days prior, she met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who assured her of his personal commitment to advocating for Alaa’s release.
Laila’s health situation has raised alarms among human rights organizations. Sacha Deshmukh, the Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, expressed his concern for her well-being, emphasizing, “It should never have come to this.” In light of her condition, groups are intensifying pressure on the Egyptian government, urging concerted action from the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.
A coalition of 25 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, recently called for Foreign Secretary Lammy to address the UN Human Rights Council about Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s case. Their joint statement emphasizes the necessity of condemning Egypt’s human rights abuses, which encompass the arrest of journalists, opposition figures, and peaceful demonstrators.
These organizations emphasize their urgency in advocating for Abd el-Fattah’s release, especially considering the serious health risks faced by his mother. They point out that she remains in a precarious situation due to her extended hunger strike and Alaa’s unjust imprisonment. The UN Human Rights Council’s 58th session will convene from February 24 to March 4, providing an opportunity to amplify these human rights concerns.
In summary, Laila Soueif’s struggle underscores the dire consequences of her son’s imprisonment and the urgent need for international attention and advocacy. As she continues her hunger strike, her health has sharply declined, prompting outrage and concern from human rights groups. The upcoming UN Human Rights Council session presents a crucial opportunity for advocating Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s release and advancing the fight against Egypt’s repression of dissent.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
