Key Takeaways:
- UN experts have expressed concern for the wellbeing of Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers in the UK
- Eight prisoners have been on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged offences relating to Palestine Action
- The UK’s treatment of the hunger strikers raises questions about compliance with international human rights laws
- The prisoners’ health is deteriorating, with some being hospitalized and others experiencing severe pain
- The UN experts are calling for urgent action to ensure the prisoners’ safety and wellbeing
Introduction to the Hunger Strike
The situation of the Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers in the UK has sparked concern among UN experts, who have expressed "grave concern" for their wellbeing. Eight prisoners have been on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged offences relating to Palestine Action, which was banned under terrorism legislation. The hunger strikers, including Qesser Zuhrah, 20, and Amu Gib, 30, who are being held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, have been refusing food since early November. Heba Muraisi, 31, who is at HMP New Hall, joined the pair on November 3. The group also includes Teuta Hoxha, 29, Kamran Ahmed, 28, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, who is refusing food every other day due to his diabetes.
The Deteriorating Health of the Prisoners
The health of the hunger strikers has been deteriorating, with some being hospitalized and others experiencing severe pain. Zuhrah and Gib temporarily resumed eating on Tuesday evening due to deteriorating health, but vowed to resume the protest action next year. On Sunday, three of the prisoners – Zuhrah, Gib, and Ahmed – were simultaneously in hospital. Ahmed has been admitted to hospital three times since going on hunger strike. The UN experts have warned that the authorities must ensure timely access to emergency and hospital care when clinically indicated, refrain from actions that may amount to pressure or retaliation, and respect medical ethics.
UN Experts’ Statement
A group of UN experts, including Gina Romero, the UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, issued a statement expressing alarm at the group’s treatment. The experts stated that "hunger strike is often a measure of last resort by people who believe that their rights to protest and effective remedy have been exhausted. The state’s duty of care toward hunger strikers is heightened, not diminished." The experts also warned that the reports of the prisoners’ treatment raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, including obligations to protect life and prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Concerns about Compliance with International Human Rights Law
The UN experts’ statement highlights the concerns about the UK’s compliance with international human rights law. The experts noted that "preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable. The state bears full responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of those it detains." The experts are calling for urgent action to ensure the prisoners’ safety and wellbeing. The situation has also sparked concern among the prisoners’ families and supporters, who have pleaded with David Lammy, the justice secretary, to meet with them. Lawyers for the group have sent a legal letter claiming that, by refusing a meeting, the justice secretary has failed to comply with the Ministry of Justice’s own policy on handling of hunger strikes.
Government Response
The government is understood to be concerned about the condition of the prisoners, but is also exercising extreme caution about setting a precedent by facilitating a meeting with Lammy, given the number of prisoners who are forced to spend lengthy periods on remand due to the court backlog. The situation highlights the challenges faced by the UK in balancing its obligations under international human rights law with its domestic policies and procedures. The government must ensure that the prisoners’ rights are protected and that their safety and wellbeing are guaranteed, while also addressing the underlying issues that led to the hunger strike.
Conclusion
The situation of the Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers in the UK is a complex and sensitive issue that requires urgent attention. The UN experts’ statement highlights the concerns about the UK’s compliance with international human rights law and the need for urgent action to ensure the prisoners’ safety and wellbeing. The government must take immediate steps to address the situation and ensure that the prisoners’ rights are protected. The situation also highlights the need for a broader discussion about the use of hunger strikes as a form of protest and the responsibilities of the state towards those who engage in such actions. Ultimately, the UK must prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the prisoners and ensure that their rights are respected and protected.
