Mother’s hunger strike continues as son remains imprisoned in Egypt

In London, Laila Soueif, mother of imprisoned British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, has been hospitalized after resuming a hunger strike, which she began on September 29, 2022, to demand her son's release from prison in Egypt. Alaa Abdel-Fattah has been incarcerated since September 2019, serving a five-year sentence for allegedly spreading false news. His mother’s health has significantly deteriorated during her 242-day protest, resulting in 42% loss of body weight, dangerously low blood sugar levels, and hospitalization. Her daughter, Sanaa Seif, urgently called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take immediate action to address her mother’s plight and her son’s continued detention, describing the situation as critical. Despite the personal toll, including previous concerns about her life in February, Laila Soueif remains steadfast in her commitment to highlighting her son's case, spending weeks camped outside government offices to bring attention to the issue. The British government's response has mostly been supportive, echoing Laila's family's commitment to securing Alaa's release while maintaining regular communication about her welfare. The struggle of the Soueif family emphasizes the ongoing human rights concerns in Egypt, especially regarding political dissent and the treatment of activists. Laila’s hunger strike not only highlights her son’s situation but also serves as a greater commentary about the current state of democracy and human rights within the Egyptian justice system. It raises awareness of the broader implications of activism in authoritarian regimes and the sacrifices that many make for the sake of advocacy and justice for their loved ones.