British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has reportedly fallen seriously ill after over 50 days on hunger strike in Egyptian custody. His family disclosed that he has experienced repeated vomiting and is receiving medical attention for suspected stomach and intestinal damage. Since initiating the strike on March 1, following news of his mother Laila Soueif’s own hunger strike in London, Abdel Fattah has consumed only herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts .
Soueif, a 68-year-old mathematics professor, has been on a hunger strike for 205 days, consuming just 300 calories daily. Her protest began after Abdel Fattah, Egypt’s most prominent political prisoner, was not released upon completing a five-year sentence for “spreading false news” .
Abdel Fattah, 43, has spent most of the past decade behind bars in Egypt. His previous hunger strike in 2022, where he survived on 100 calories a day for seven months, drew international attention during the UN climate summit in Egypt .
The UK government has been actively involved in efforts to secure his release, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raising the issue with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. However, consular access has been denied, and Abdel Fattah remains incarcerated despite completing his sentence .
The deteriorating health of both Abdel Fattah and his mother underscores the urgent need for international intervention and adherence to human rights standards.
Abd El-Fattah in Tahrir Square Picture by Lilian Wagdy on Flickr
