Hunger strikes main replace as authorities faces authorized menace with seven hospitalised
Seven imprisoned Palestine Action activists have been taken to hospital since the hunger strike began on 2 November, with one striker now on day 51 of refusing food.
Hunger strikers from Palestine Action have initiated the first stage of legal proceedings against the British government.
A law firm representing the hunger strikers has confirmed that a pre-action letter was submitted on December 22 to Justice Secretary David Lammy. The letter sets out the group’s intention to commence legal action.
This development follows the hospitalisation of several incarcerated Palestine Action activists in recent days, including one individual who has abstained from eating for 51 days.
The hunger strikers claim they have written letters to Mr Lammy, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, but have received no reply. They accuse the government of neglecting its own policies outlined in the prison safety policy framework.
READ MORE: Greta Thunberg arrested at Palestine Action protest in LondonREAD MORE: Two Palestine hunger strikers hospitalised in UK after 40 days without food
The letter, which has been reviewed by the Press Association, demands a response within 24 hours. It describes the situation as a “matter of urgency”, stating “our clients’ health continues to deteriorate, such that the risk of their dying increases every day”.
It adds: “They request an urgent meeting with the proposed defendant to discuss the deterioration of our clients’ health and to discuss attempts to resolve the situation.”
Since the commencement of the hunger strike on November 2, a total of seven prisoners have been hospitalised. Kamran Ahmed, 28, held at Pentonville Prison in London, and Amu Gib, 30, detained at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, have both been admitted to hospital in the past week after refusing food.
Prisoners for Palestine has previously stated that Gib’s condition has “deteriorated rapidly” since beginning the hunger strike on November 2, with the campaigner now requiring a wheelchair. Gib, who is currently on day 51 of their protest, was rushed to hospital on Saturday.
Emergency doctor Dr James Smith warned journalists that some of the campaigners “are dying” and require urgent specialist medical attention.
All the detained individuals are facing charges connected to alleged break-ins or criminal damage carried out on behalf of Palestine Action before the organisation was proscribed under anti-terror laws.
Gib stands accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton and spray painting two RAF Voyager aircraft in support of Palestine Action.
Ahmed, who has reached day 43 of his hunger strike, is alleged to have broken into the UK premises of an Israeli-based defence company near Patchway, Bristol, using sledgehammers in August 2024, resulting in £1 million worth of damage.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson responded: “We strongly refute these claims. We want these prisoners to accept support and get better, and we will not create perverse incentives that would encourage more people to put themselves at risk through hunger strikes”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously stated that the “rules and procedures” are being adhered to, after being questioned in the Commons about why his ministers had declined to meet with representatives of those on hunger strike.
Lord Timpson, the Prisons minister, told The Mirror that while very concerning, “hunger strikes are not a new issue for our prisons.”
“Over the last five years, we’ve averaged over 200 a year and we have longstanding procedures in place to ensure prisoner safety,” he said. “Prison healthcare teams provide NHS care and continuously monitor the situation. HMPPS are clear that claims that hospital care is being refused are entirely misleading – they will always be taken when needed and a number of these prisoners have already been treated in hospital.
“These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage. Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients.
“Ministers will not meet with them – we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for Ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.”
The Mirror has approached David Lammy for comment.
