Laila Soueif has spent eight months on hunger strike in a desperate plea for freedom for her son, echoing a call for action from the international community.
Mother of Jailed Activist Persists in Hunger Strike Despite Health Risks
Mother of Jailed Activist Persists in Hunger Strike Despite Health Risks
Laila Soueif, mother of political prisoner Alaa Abdel Fattah, continues her hunger strike, risking her life to demand her son's freedom.
Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, remains resolute in her hunger strike despite alarming health risks after eight months without food. Doctors at St. Thomas’ hospital in London warn that her condition is dire, but the 69-year-old maths professor insists that she "passionately" desires life while expressing readiness to die if necessary to secure her son's release from Egyptian custody.
Sanaa, Soueif's daughter, expressed her fears over her mother’s deteriorating health, recalling that she now often discusses life after her passing. Soueif initiated the hunger strike last September when her son’s sentence was expected to conclude; however, Egyptian authorities disregarded over two years of his pre-trial detention. Abdel Fattah, a key figure in the 2011 pro-democracy protests and dual national of Egypt and the UK, faces ongoing incarceration stemming from a five-year sentence following a Facebook post regarding alleged prisoner torture.
Throughout her strike, Soueif had subsisted on minimal liquids until she resumed complete fasting in May due to the lack of any advancement towards her son’s release. Doctors intervened after her health declined palpably, providing necessary medical treatments while she refuses glucose. Her daughter describes the situation as harrowing, as her mother's abandonment of food has led to dangerously low glucose levels.
The United Nations has condemned Abdel Fattah’s imprisonment, urging his freedom as a matter of human rights. Meanwhile, advocacy from his family, along with UK MPs, continues to call upon the government to take a firmer stance on the matter. Sanaa highlighted her mother's commitment to drawing attention to the extensive number of political prisoners in Egypt, declaring her pride while voicing deep concerns for her mother’s well-being.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously warned of serious diplomatic repercussions for Egypt if consular access was not granted. Laila Soueif remains steadfast, stating her message for the world is to leverage her potential sacrifice to secure her son’s freedom, urging stronger action from the UK government.
Sanaa, Soueif's daughter, expressed her fears over her mother’s deteriorating health, recalling that she now often discusses life after her passing. Soueif initiated the hunger strike last September when her son’s sentence was expected to conclude; however, Egyptian authorities disregarded over two years of his pre-trial detention. Abdel Fattah, a key figure in the 2011 pro-democracy protests and dual national of Egypt and the UK, faces ongoing incarceration stemming from a five-year sentence following a Facebook post regarding alleged prisoner torture.
Throughout her strike, Soueif had subsisted on minimal liquids until she resumed complete fasting in May due to the lack of any advancement towards her son’s release. Doctors intervened after her health declined palpably, providing necessary medical treatments while she refuses glucose. Her daughter describes the situation as harrowing, as her mother's abandonment of food has led to dangerously low glucose levels.
The United Nations has condemned Abdel Fattah’s imprisonment, urging his freedom as a matter of human rights. Meanwhile, advocacy from his family, along with UK MPs, continues to call upon the government to take a firmer stance on the matter. Sanaa highlighted her mother's commitment to drawing attention to the extensive number of political prisoners in Egypt, declaring her pride while voicing deep concerns for her mother’s well-being.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously warned of serious diplomatic repercussions for Egypt if consular access was not granted. Laila Soueif remains steadfast, stating her message for the world is to leverage her potential sacrifice to secure her son’s freedom, urging stronger action from the UK government.
