UK gets denounced for negligence of Palestine Action hunger strike

(MENAFN) The UK government is facing mounting criticism as six prisoners linked to the banned group Palestine Action continue a hunger strike, with health experts warning that their lives are at immediate risk. Despite appeals from hundreds of British health care professionals, the government has resisted calls for a ministerial meeting to address the prisoners’ health and treatment.

All six detainees are on remand and face charges including aggravated burglary and criminal damage. They have refused food for several weeks, and supporters report that two more prisoners were recently hospitalized, heightening fears of potentially fatal outcomes.

Mothin Ali, co-deputy leader of the Green Party, described the situation as critical. “These prisoners are now seriously ill. Amu Gib is on day 50 of their hunger strike while Kamran Ahmed is on day 42. After this length of time without food, they are at very high risk of organ failure, irreversible neurological damage and death,” Ali said. He criticized the government for inaction, stating, “This horrific situation could have been prevented if ministers had agreed to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers and hear their concerns and demands.”

The prisoners are demanding immediate bail, an end to restrictions on their communications, the right to a fair trial, the deproscription of Palestine Action, and the closure of UK facilities of Elbit Systems, an Israel-based defense company that produces drones and other military equipment.

Ali described the hunger strike as “a terrible indictment of this government’s failure,” noting that the prisoners have resorted to using their bodies as the only means to highlight alleged injustices and maltreatment.

At a Downing Street briefing, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that there are currently no plans for ministers to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers.

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