United Nations human rights experts have sounded a stark alarm over the treatment of a group of hunger-striking prisoners in the UK, linked to the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action. The special rapporteurs warn that the handling of these detainees raises serious questions about Britain's adherence to international human rights obligations.
Prisoners' Protest and Deteriorating Health
Eight individuals awaiting trial for alleged offences connected to Palestine Action have been involved in the protest. The group was proscribed under terrorism legislation after their arrests. Among them are Qesser Zuhrah, 20, and Amu Gib, 30, who were held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey and refused food from 2 November to 23 December. They were joined by Heba Muraisi, 31, at HMP New Hall on 3 November.
The protest also includes Teuta Hoxha, 29, Kamran Ahmed, 28, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, who is on an alternate-day hunger strike due to his diabetes. The health of several strikers has declined sharply. By Sunday, three prisoners—Zuhrah, Gib, and Ahmed—were hospitalised simultaneously, with Ahmed admitted three times since beginning his strike.
UN Condemns State's Duty of Care Failures
In a powerful statement, UN experts including special rapporteurs Gina Romero and Francesca Albanese emphasised that a hunger strike is a last resort for those who feel all avenues of protest and remedy are closed. "The state’s duty of care toward hunger strikers is heightened, not diminished," they declared.
The experts pointed to alarming reports, including one where the Prison Service allegedly denied an ambulance entry to HMP Bronzefield for Qesser Zuhrah while she was writhing in pain on her cell floor. She was only taken to hospital after protesters gathered outside the prison. "These reports raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards," the UN statement said, stressing that preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable.
Legal Pressure and Government Caution
The crisis has escalated to the highest levels of government. On Monday, families and supporters pleaded with Justice Secretary David Lammy to meet them. Lawyers for the group sent a legal letter arguing that by refusing a meeting, Lammy failed to follow the Ministry of Justice's own policy on hunger strikes.
While there is understood to be concern within government about the prisoners' condition, there is also extreme caution about setting a precedent. This hesitation is partly due to the large number of prisoners on lengthy remands because of court backlogs. Meanwhile, Zuhrah and Gib temporarily resumed eating on Tuesday evening due to severely deteriorating health but have vowed to restart their protest in the new year.
The UN experts concluded with an urgent call: "The state bears full responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of those it detains. Urgent action is required now."
