Rights experts urge the Egyptian government to release activist Alaa Abdel Fattah. His mother, Laila Soueif, is on a prolonged hunger strike, leading to severe health issues. Concerns grow as UK officials pressure Egypt for Abdel Fattah’s release, with rights groups highlighting abuses against political dissent.
A group of United Nations-affiliated human rights experts have urgently called for the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian-British activist, amid growing concerns regarding the health of his mother, Laila Soueif, who is on a hunger strike protesting his imprisonment. Abdel Fattah has spent the majority of the past 14 years incarcerated or in police detention due to alleged fabricated terror charges.
Despite completing a five-year sentence in September 2024, Egyptian authorities announced that he would remain in prison until 2027. The UN rights experts emphasized the arbitrary nature of his detention and the deteriorating condition of Soueif, who has been hospitalized after nearly five months of hunger striking.
Reports indicate that Soueif is at immediate risk of severe health complications due to her refusal of treatment, particularly given her low blood sugar levels. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have made efforts to advocate for Abdel Fattah’s case but have yet to secure consular access for him.
The UN experts reiterated that Egypt must cease its crackdown on freedom of expression and adhere to its international human rights obligations. This appeal arrives amidst speculation that the Egyptian government might consider pardoning political prisoners before Ramadan, with organizations like Amnesty International urging the release of individuals detained for expressing dissent online.
In summary, the ongoing plight of Alaa Abdel Fattah has drawn significant attention from human rights advocates and government officials. Urgent pleas for his release have been made in light of his mother’s health complications due to her hunger strike. The situation raises broader concerns regarding human rights practices in Egypt, particularly relating to political dissent and freedom of expression. The international community continues to exert pressure on the Egyptian government to uphold human rights standards and reconsider its stance on political prisoners.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
