Activists from Palestine Action, the direct action network proscribed in the UK, could die in prison because their hunger strike has now stretched to nearly six weeks, their lawyers have warned.
Imran Khan and Partners Solicitors wrote to the UK Justice Secretary David Lammy requesting a meeting before their clients' health “deteriorates beyond possible recovery”. Five of the eight activists on remand have already been admitted to hospital, with some suffering from shortness of breath and blurred vision, the lawyers said. All are experiencing memory loss.
The lawyers also said they were preparing legal action against the government, which would accuse it of being in breach of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and protects “the right to life”. The activists are awaiting trial after being arrested by counter-terrorism police, but face a two-year wait before their cases are heard due to a backlog in UK courts.
That delay, and other claims of mistreatment by hospital staff, triggered the hunger strike. “We have instructions from our clients to request and attend a meeting with you, to explore a resolution for to the strike,” the lawyers wrote to Mr Lammy.
Continue Reading on The National UAE
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.