Families of Palestine Action Hunger Strikers Seek Urgent Meeting with Justice Secretary David Lammy
Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers have urged Justice Secretary David Lammy to meet with them to help resolve a stand-off as several prisoners are nearing life-threatening conditions.
Three hunger strikers—Qesser Zuhrah (20) and Amu Gib (30), both on their 51st day of hunger strike, and Kamran Ahmed (28) on day 43—were hospitalized as of Sunday. Kamran Ahmed, who has been hospitalized multiple times, is reported by his sister Shahmina Alam to be in a condition that is now beyond urgent.
Other current hunger strikers include Heba Muraisi (31) on day 50, Teuta Hoxha (29) on day 44, and Lewie Chiaramello (22), who has diabetes and is refusing food every other day, now on day 16.
Zuhrah is believed to remain in hospital following an ambulance arrival at HMP Bronzefield; next of kin Ella Moulsdale has indicated that there has been no confirmation of her status or treatment.
The prisoners are jailed on remand pending trial for alleged break-ins or criminal damage during protests and are expected to have served more than a year before trial.
Lawyers for the hunger strikers have sent a legal letter invoking Ministry of Justice policy, which states a review meeting should be convened with those most likely to influence a resolution; a reply was requested by 2pm on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Justice has denied the claims that it is unresponsive, stating it wants the prisoners to accept support and will not create perverse incentives that encourage hunger strikes.
Officials have expressed concerns about setting a precedent by arranging meetings with Lammy amid ongoing court backlogs and note that their powers for additional intervention are limited. They also observe that deaths in custody from hunger strikes are rare, with most hunger strikes ending voluntarily.
