Pro-Palestine Prisoners at HMP Bronzefield Pause Hunger Strikes Amid Health Concerns
Qesser Zuhrah, 20, and Amu Gib, 30, prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action and on remand at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, have paused their hunger strikes after enduring 48 and 49 days respectively due to deteriorating health. They intend to resume their strikes in the New Year. They are part of a group of eight detainees on hunger strike, all facing charges related to alleged break-ins or criminal damage linked to Palestine Action, which was banned under terrorism legislation in July. The defendants deny these charges and are seeking their dismissal.
Currently, four other detainees—Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, and Lewie Chiaramello—remain on hunger strike. Their demands include Muraisi’s transfer back to Bronzefield from HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire, an end to all non-association orders, and equal access to courses and activities as sentenced prisoners. The group also advocates for access to the same programmes and activities across facilities.
Allegations surfaced that Zuhrah was refused ambulance access for over 18 hours while at Bronzefield. This led to a protest outside the prison attended by MP Zarah Sultana. However, the Ministry of Justice has disputed claims of mistreatment. Earlier in the month, prisoners Jon Cink and Umer Khalid ended their hunger strikes due to health reasons; both were hospitalized and subsequently discharged back to prison.
Lords Timpson noted that hunger strikes are not unprecedented and emphasized that prison healthcare teams closely monitor the health of prisoners on strike. Hospital care will be provided when necessary, and government ministers will respect the independence of the judiciary by not intervening in ongoing legal cases. The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the prisoners’ five stated demands, as well as issues related to non-association orders and access to programmes within the prison system.
