Urgent Call for Release of Alaa Abdel Fattah Amid Health Crisis of His Mother

UN human rights experts have demanded the immediate release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, a jailed activist, as concerns rise for his mother, Laila Soueif, who is on a hunger strike. Abdel Fattah faces continued imprisonment despite completing his sentence, while his mother’s health severely declines. UK officials are advocating for his release amid calls for an end to Egypt’s crackdown on free expression.

A group of UN-affiliated human rights experts has urged Egypt to release Alaa Abdel Fattah, a jailed activist, amid escalating concerns regarding the health of his mother, Laila Soueif. Soueif, aged 68, has been on hunger strike for nearly five months to protest her son’s imprisonment, and she was recently hospitalized due to critical health deteriorations associated with her strike against his unlawful detention.

Alaa Abdel Fattah, a prominent opposition figure during the 2011 Egyptian revolution, has been subjected to prolonged incarceration on alleged terror charges viewed by activists as unfounded. Despite completing a five-year sentence in September, authorities have indicated that he will remain in prison until 2027, prompting outcry from rights advocates who demand his immediate release.

The UN rights experts emphasized the arbitrary nature of Abdel Fattah’s detention and highlighted the urgency due to his mother’s condition, stating that there is an “immediate risk to life” for her if she continues refusing nourishment. UK leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have sought to engage with Egyptian officials regarding Abdel Fattah’s plight but have faced challenges in securing access to him.

The experts declared, “Egypt must halt its flagrant crackdown on freedom of expression and respect its obligations under international human rights law.” The situation unfolds as speculation mounts on whether the Egyptian government may consider pardoning political prisoners and journalists as Ramadan approaches.

Amnesty International has also called for the release of individuals detained on terrorism charges for expressing dissent against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi online, reflecting broader concerns over freedom of speech and human rights in Egypt.

The situation regarding Alaa Abdel Fattah remains critical as human rights advocates call for his urgent release, coinciding with serious health issues faced by his mother due to her hunger strike. The continued detention of Abdel Fattah raises significant concerns about human rights practices in Egypt, particularly the right to free expression. As international figures intervene, the hope lies with possible changes in the government’s approach to political prisoners.

Original Source: www.newarab.com