As Laila Soueif's hunger strike reaches a dangerous milestone, the British government faces mounting pressure to act for the release of her son, a prominent Egyptian political prisoner.
Mother of Jailed Activist Faces Critical Health Risks After Record Hunger Strike
Mother of Jailed Activist Faces Critical Health Risks After Record Hunger Strike
Laila Soueif endures 151 days of fasting to advocate for her son Alaa Abd El Fattah’s release from Egyptian prison as her health deteriorates.
Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd El Fattah, a leading figure among Egypt’s political detainees, has been hospitalized amid her relentless 151-day hunger strike aimed at securing her son’s freedom. According to medical professionals, the 68-year-old mathematician and British national is in critical condition, presenting severe health risks that could lead to sudden death. Soueif's fast, which she has maintained since late September on a regimen comprised of only water, rehydration salts, and unsweetened tea and coffee, was initiated after it became evident her son, 43, would not be released as initially anticipated.
Her course of action followed Abd El Fattah’s imprisonment for five years due to a social media post highlighting prison conditions. In her efforts to garner international attention, Soueif has resided intermittently in the UK and has urged the British government to leverage its diplomatic and economic influence to advocate for her son’s release, asserting she aims to "create a crisis" to spotlight the issue. Unfortunately, her determination has led to alarming health declines, recently leading to her hospitalization in London due to critical drops in blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
With diminishing hope for resolution, Soueif’s plight emphasizes the growing pressure on both the British and Egyptian governments to address human rights and political freedom, as the international community closely watches the unfolding situation.
