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Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned British-Egyptian human rights advocate Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has announced her intention to initiate another hunger strike by the end of the month unless there are significant advancements in efforts to secure her son’s release.
At 68 years old, Soueif expressed her awareness of the grave consequences of her decision, stating, “I know the step will mean I have a week or fortnight left to live.”
She was hospitalized two weeks ago following a prolonged hunger strike that lasted 150 days, during which time she sustained herself on only herbal teas, black coffee, and rehydration salts. Her health deteriorated to a critical level, necessitating urgent medical care at Charing Cross Hospital in London.
In the hospital, medical professionals warned her family that her situation was dire, prompting Soueif to pen a heartfelt letter to the Egyptian ambassador in London, requesting that her daughters be allowed to repatriate her remains to Cairo for burial beside her late husband.
Reflecting on her condition, Soueif remarked, “I did not, I admit, feel physically close to death but as a scientist I knew since I was told my blood sugar levels were critical.” The nursing staff advised her family on ways to keep her awake to address her critical health status, leading to a decision to administer a glucose drip to stabilize her blood sugar levels.
Compromising somewhat on her hunger strike plan, she agreed to consume 300 calories of food supplements each day to allow time for negotiations regarding her son’s predicament. This decision followed a consequential phone call on 28 February from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, which focused on advocating for Fattah’s release and coincided with the early days of Soueif’s hospitalization.
There remains cautious optimism regarding Fattah’s potential release, particularly with a broader amnesty anticipated at the conclusion of Ramadan on 30 March. Having already served more than five years, he was not released last September, a decision the Egyptian authorities made despite acknowledging the two years he spent in pre-trial detention.
Since leaving the hospital, Soueif has reported stabilization in her health, yet there has been a noticeable lack of progress concerning her son’s situation.
She has written to the Prime Minister indicating that absent significant improvements, she is prepared to resume her hunger strike. Planning to consult her medical team on the 25th, she stated, “I think I know the consequences.”
Soueif’s daughter, Sana’a, commented on her mother’s recovery, noting that while she appears better post-hospitalization, her physical strength is severely diminished and her glucose levels remain low. Furthermore, she highlighted a significant decrease in communication frequency with the Foreign Office since Starmer’s call and plans to meet with officials to discuss her mother’s situation.
Meanwhile, Fattah began his own hunger strike on 1 February upon learning of his mother’s hospitalization. He has seen family members on two occasions but remains resolute in his support for her cause.
Despite numerous requests for consular access from British diplomats, progress has been stalled by the Egyptian government’s reluctance to officially recognize Fattah’s British citizenship, thereby complicating efforts for diplomatic visits.
In a recent statement to Members of Parliament, Starmer affirmed, “I will do everything I can to ensure the release in this case, and that includes phone calls as necessary. I’ve raised it before. I’ll raise it again. I gave my word to the family that that’s what I’d do. That I will do, and I will.”
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www.theguardian.com