A silent protest is escalating within the walls of British prisons, fueled by unwavering conviction and a desperate plea for attention. Several individuals are engaged in a prolonged hunger strike, their bodies weakening with each passing day, all in solidarity with Palestine.
Heba Muraisi, one of the striking detainees, articulated a profound sentiment in a recent statement: this isn’t a desire for oblivion, but a fierce embrace of life itself. She explained that her love for humanity, for the very people she’s been separated from for 349 days, is the driving force behind her sacrifice.
The situation has become increasingly urgent. Muraisi was recently transferred from HMP Bronzefield, abruptly separated from her family and the vital support network she relied upon, to New Hall prison.
The anguish extends beyond Muraisi’s case. Shahmina Alam, sister of fellow striker Kamran Ahmed, revealed disturbing accounts of her brother’s treatment while awaiting trial. She described him being subjected to double handcuffing and degrading conditions, a stark illustration of the pressures he faces.
Ahmed, now 46 days into his hunger strike, is awaiting trial related to allegations surrounding a raid on an Elbit Systems facility. The stakes are incredibly high, and his health is rapidly deteriorating.
Healthcare providers managing New Hall, Practice Plus Group, insist they deliver “compassionate care” and adhere to established protocols when patients refuse nourishment, working in conjunction with the prison and broader health services.
However, the government firmly denies any obstruction of healthcare access, stating they have no records from NHS staff to support such claims. They maintain that hospital care is provided when necessary, citing instances of strikers already receiving hospital treatment.
Despite growing concerns and pleas for intervention, Lord Timpson, minister of state for prisons, has staunchly refused to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers. He emphasized that prisons deal with an average of over 200 hunger strikes annually, and established procedures are in place to ensure prisoner safety.
The government defends its position by citing the separation of powers, asserting that ministerial intervention in ongoing legal cases would be both unconstitutional and inappropriate. They maintain that remand decisions are the purview of independent judges, and defendants have avenues to appeal through their legal counsel.
Eight individuals – Qesser Zuhrah, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Lewie Chiaramello, and Muhammed Umer Khalid – are united in this act of defiance, their hunger a visible manifestation of a deeply held belief and a desperate call for change.
