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Two detainees held on remand pending trial for alleged offenses connected to Palestine Action have ended their hunger strikes, while five others are reported to be continuing their refusal to eat. These prisoners, held in separate facilities, have presented several demands, including a call to lift the ban on Palestine Action and the closure of a legal firm with ties to Israel.
Supporters note that the two prisoners who protested the longest have been on hunger strike for 45 days, a period that officials have not disputed. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that established “rules and procedures” are being observed regarding the ongoing hunger strikes.
Legal representatives for the group have persistently sought meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, expressing serious concern about the increasing risk of death among their clients due to the protest. This sentiment is echoed by a collective of 51 MPs and peers who have also petitioned Lammy for engagement with the detainees’ lawyers. The hunger strikes trace back to a series of incidents alleged to involve members of Palestine Action accused of break-ins and criminal damage. These charges are denied by those involved and stem from incidents predating the organization’s ban under terrorism legislation, with trials scheduled only for the following year.
Currently, supporters have confirmed that Jon Cink and Umer Khalid ended their hunger strikes after 41 and 13 days, respectively. Other prisoners, including Qesser Zuhrah and Amy Gardiner-Gibson, have each been refusing food for around 45 days, while Heba Muraisi began her protest a day after them. Additional participants include Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmed, who have been on strike for 38 and 37 days respectively. An eighth individual involved has intermittently participated due to underlying health issues. Several of the group have been hospitalized but were either discharged or left the hospital voluntarily.
Protests supporting the hunger strikers have taken place at HMP Bronzefield, where MP Zarah Sultana has called for urgent medical attention for Zuhrah. On one occasion, an ambulance arrived at the Surrey prison amid demonstrators clashing with police. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson condemned the escalation, describing it as “completely unacceptable,” noting concerns after a staff member was injured and protesters accessed staff-only areas, which jeopardizes the safety of personnel and the facility’s security. The ambulance later departed, but the South East Coast Ambulance Service declined to comment on whether anyone was taken to hospital.
During the Parliamentary session, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn raised concerns about repeated breaches of prison conditions linked to the hunger strikes and pressed Sir Keir Starmer to arrange a meeting between Ministry of Justice officials and representatives of the hunger strikers. Starmer responded by emphasizing that relevant rules and procedures are being followed. Justice Minister Jake Richards, addressing the issue earlier, stated he would not meet the protesters’ lawyers but assured that the Ministry of Justice has “robust and proper guidance” in place and is monitoring the situation. The Ministry of Justice also confirmed ongoing evaluations of prisoners’ health, with appropriate responses including hospital care where necessary, and stated that the Prison and Probation Service has assured ministers that the management of food refusal cases adheres to policy while respecting prisoner rights
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