Hunger Strikers in Palestine Near Death Continue Protests

Eight British activists, linked to the Palestine Action group, have been on hunger strike in prison for over two months, with five of the eight individuals having ended their strikes due to health concerns.

Heba Muraisi and Kamran Ahmed, both 31 and 28 years old respectively, are among those continuing their protests. Muraisi has been fasting for 67 days, while Ahmed has refused food for 60 days. Their loved ones report that they are experiencing severe symptoms, including muscle spasms, breathlessness, and low white blood cell counts.

Muraisi’s friend Amareen Afzal stated that her condition has worsened over the past nine weeks, with noticeable changes in her physical appearance and cognitive function. Ahmed’s sister Shahmina Alam described his decline as “appalling,” noting that he has lost hearing in one ear, suffers from chest pains, breathlessness, and dizzy spells.

The group of remand prisoners are being held on charges related to alleged involvement in break-ins at the UK subsidiary of Elbit Systems and a Royal Air Force base. They deny the charges and are demanding bail, a fair trial, and the de-proscription of Palestine Action, which was designated as a “terrorist organisation” by the UK government.

The prisoners’ demands also include the closure of all Elbit sites in the UK and an end to what they call censorship in prison, citing the withholding of mail, calls, and books. All eight individuals will have spent over a year in prison before their trials take place.

Their lawyers are calling for a meeting with David Lammy, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, to discuss the prisoners’ welfare. The government has refused to engage in meaningful conversations with the prisoners’ legal representatives or mediators, citing policies regarding food refusal as being followed.

Source: Al Jazeera