Human Rights Watch has directly challenged the UK government's position on the ongoing hunger strike by activists linked to the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, stating that ministers' claims of being unable to intervene are "not fully true".
Legal Challenge to Government's Stance
In a letter to the Attorney General, Richard Hermer, the UK director of Human Rights Watch, Yasmine Ahmed, expressed "grave concern" regarding the health and prolonged pre-trial detention of the protesters. The letter specifically disputes repeated ministerial assertions that the judiciary must be left entirely independent in this matter.
Ahmed argued that while bail decisions are made by courts, the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions has the power to instruct prosecutors not to oppose fresh bail applications. This action could facilitate one of the hunger strikers' key demands: immediate bail. The government has denied this interpretation of the law.
Deteriorating Health and Extended Custody
The situation is most critical for Heba Muraisi, 31, who is now on day 73 of her hunger strike. This equals the length of the fast undertaken by Irish republican hunger striker Kieran Doherty in 1981. Muraisi has reportedly spent more than 400 days in pre-trial custody, far exceeding the standard six-month maximum limit, with her trial not scheduled until June.
The letter states Muraisi is at "imminent risk of death". Other hunger strikers include Kamran Ahmed (day 66), Lewie Chiaramello, who has Type 1 diabetes and fasts every other day (day 46), and Umar Khalid, who recently resumed his protest. All four will have spent over 18 months in prison before their trials for Palestine Action-related activities begin.
Calls for Government Responsibility
Human Rights Watch's position aligns with that of retired Court of Appeal judge Stephen Sedley, who previously outlined the potential for law officers to intervene. The NGO's letter urges an immediate review of the detention conditions and stresses that the government cannot disclaim "responsibility for preventing foreseeable loss of life in state custody".
Beyond bail, the protesters' demands include a fair trial, the deproscription of Palestine Action, and for Muraisi to be moved to a prison closer to her family. A government spokesperson maintained that ministerial intervention would be "unconstitutional" and undermine judicial independence, adding that law officers have no role in the bail process.
