In brief
Laila Soueif, the mother of Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abd El Fattah, has embarked on a hunger strike to demand action from the U.K. government concerning her son’s unjust incarceration.
Laila Soueif, a British-born Egyptian mathematician and professor, is steadfast in her fight for her son Alaa Abd El Fattah, who remains imprisoned in Egypt despite completing a five-year sentence. Since September 29, she has been on a hunger strike that has now reached 55 days. Her decision came after it became evident that her son would not be receiving an early release, as Egyptian authorities have refused to count two years of his previous pretrial detention.Mr. Abd El Fattah, acclaimed as one of Egypt’s prominent political prisoners, is now scheduled to be released in 2027, although there are deep concerns from his family that he may be held indefinitely under the oppressive regime of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The ongoing repression against dissent in Egypt has led to thousands being imprisoned, highlighting a stark violation of human rights as reported by numerous organizations.In an emotional interview conducted in London, Ms. Soueif, 68, shared her resolve to continue her hunger strike, subsisting solely on water, rehydration salts, and sugar-free beverages, until her son's freedom is secured. “I won’t back down and I will be very visible,” she stated firmly, emphasizing that her actions are intended to instigate a crisis that demands immediate attention. Her struggle symbolizes the powerful intersection of personal pain and political activism in the face of systemic injustice.
