69-year-old Laila Soueif, mother of jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, continues her hunger strike even as her health deteriorates, risking her life in her quest for her son’s release from an Egyptian prison.
Mother of Jailed Activist Continues Hunger Strike Despite Health Risks
Mother of Jailed Activist Continues Hunger Strike Despite Health Risks
Laila Soueif's determination to free her son, political prisoner Alaa Abdel Fattah, strengthens amidst alarming health reports.
In a heartfelt statement to the BBC from St Thomas' hospital in London, Laila noted her body is weakening after eight months without food, but her will to continue this act of protest remains unbroken. “I want to live, but I’m ready to take that risk if it can help free my son,” she declared, urging UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to intervene in her son’s case. Alaa, a prominent figure in Egypt's 2011 pro-democracy protests, has faced continuous imprisonment since 2014, sentenced to five years for voicing concerns over a fellow inmate’s death following alleged torture.
Laila initiated her hunger strike in September 2024, upon learning that the time Alaa served pre-trial was not being counted towards his sentence. Her previous agreement to consume a limited caloric intake ended earlier this month due to perceived inaction from the Egyptian authorities and a lack of progress in her son’s case. Now hospitalized, Laila is receiving essential medical intervention but has refused to accept sugar treatment, and her condition appears grave.
Her daughter, Sanaa Seif, expressed deep concern for her mother's deteriorating condition and frustration with government inaction. Family members and supporters are amplifying calls for the UK to employ stronger diplomatic efforts to secure Alaa's release. The UN has also denounced Alaa's detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate freedom, which has not yet materialized.
With Laila acknowledging the potential fatal consequence of her strike, she has stated, “Use my death as leverage to get Alaa out. Don’t let my death be in vain.” Her courageous stance has sparked attention toward the plight of political prisoners in Egypt and the complex dynamics of diplomatic relations surrounding international detentions.
Laila initiated her hunger strike in September 2024, upon learning that the time Alaa served pre-trial was not being counted towards his sentence. Her previous agreement to consume a limited caloric intake ended earlier this month due to perceived inaction from the Egyptian authorities and a lack of progress in her son’s case. Now hospitalized, Laila is receiving essential medical intervention but has refused to accept sugar treatment, and her condition appears grave.
Her daughter, Sanaa Seif, expressed deep concern for her mother's deteriorating condition and frustration with government inaction. Family members and supporters are amplifying calls for the UK to employ stronger diplomatic efforts to secure Alaa's release. The UN has also denounced Alaa's detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate freedom, which has not yet materialized.
With Laila acknowledging the potential fatal consequence of her strike, she has stated, “Use my death as leverage to get Alaa out. Don’t let my death be in vain.” Her courageous stance has sparked attention toward the plight of political prisoners in Egypt and the complex dynamics of diplomatic relations surrounding international detentions.
