Michael Mansfield Criticises Government Refusal to Meet Hunger Strikers Affiliated with Palestine Action
Michael Mansfield KC has criticized the UK government for its refusal to meet with hunger strikers affiliated with Palestine Action. He described the government's reasoning as ludicrous and condemned the refusal in a letter sent to Justice Secretary David Lammy. Mansfield emphasized that the hunger strike is a genuine act of conscientious objection, deserving serious consideration rather than being framed as a provocation to others.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated that meeting the hunger strikers could create perverse incentives that might encourage additional individuals to risk hunger strikes. Mansfield rejected this characterization as unfounded. He urged authorities to consider individual cases for discharge to hospital with appropriate treatment and bail conditions.
The eight original hunger strikers are currently in prison awaiting trial for alleged protest-related break-ins or criminal damage and have been held for more than a year. Among them, Qesser Zuhrah ended her hunger strike after 48 days following a hospital transfer. Others include Amu Gib (52 days), Heba Muraisi (51 days), Teuta Hoxha (45 days), Kamran Ahmed (44 days), and Lewie Chiaramello, who has diabetes and has been eating every other day since day 17.
The MoJ reiterated its position that it wants the prisoners to accept support and recover without encouraging harmful hunger strikes.
