Hunger Strike: Palestine Action Prisoner Hospitalised After 58 Days
Kamran Ahmed, a remand prisoner connected to the group Palestine Action, has been hospitalised for the fifth time following an extended hunger strike. The 28-year-old has abstained from food for 58 days in protest against his prolonged pre-trial detention, which exceeds the six-month limit established by UK law.
Health Risks and Medical Concerns
Held at HMP Pentonville in north London, Ahmed was admitted to a medical facility due to a heart complication, as confirmed by his sister, Shahmina Alam. His situation has drawn significant concern from medical professionals, including Birmingham-based neurologist Dr David Nicholl, who has extensively studied hunger strikes over the past twenty years.
Dr Nicholl expressed grave worries about the dangers posed by prolonged fasting, stating that individuals who refrain from eating for more than 60 days face severe health risks, including the potential for death. He elaborated that long-term hunger strikes might lead to enduring complications such as cognitive disorders, dementia, vertigo, and extreme physical weaknesses.
“The immediate issue is refeeding syndrome,” Dr Nicholl noted. “After a long period without food, it’s essential for the body to gradually increase calorie intake. A sudden return to eating can lead to severe illness, with some individuals tragically succumbing after ending a hunger strike due to this syndrome.”
Details on the Hunger Strike
Apart from Ahmed, three other prisoners are also engaged in hunger strikes. Heba Muraisi is currently on day 65, while Lewie Chiaramello, a type 1 diabetic, has been fasting every other day and is on day 60. Meanwhile, Teuta Hoxha has temporarily paused her hunger strike and has been admitted to the hospital after rapidly deteriorating health.
These individuals are protesting charges of alleged break-ins and criminal damage associated with the activities of Palestine Action, a group that has now been banned under terrorism legislation. By the time they are brought to trial, all four may have spent over a year in custody.
Prisoners’ Demands
The hunger strikers are making several demands, including the de-proscription of Palestine Action, the cessation of UK support for companies supplying arms to Israel, and immediate bail or transfers to prisons closer to their families to facilitate visits.
Government Response
Responding to concerns, prisons minister Lord Timpson stated, “While indeed alarming, hunger strikes are not a new phenomenon within our prisons. We have seen an average of over 200 hunger strikes annually in recent years, and we maintain established protocols to ensure the welfare of prisoners.”
Timpson emphasised that health care teams in prisons, connected to the NHS, monitor these situations continuously. He also refuted claims that hospital care is being withheld, asserting that medical attention is always available when needed. He noted that some of the hunger strikers had already received medical treatment outside the prison.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the prisoners are accused of serious charges, including aggravated burglary, and that remand decisions are made by independent judges; lawyers have the capability to represent their clients in court. Timpson stressed that it would be inappropriate for ministers to interfere in ongoing legal cases, reinforcing the importance of an independent judiciary.
Background
The ongoing situation highlights broader issues regarding pre-trial detention and prisoners’ rights within the UK justice system. It raises questions about the legality and ethical implications of prolonged detentions without trial, as well as how such matters intersect with international concerns surrounding the actions of states involved in conflicts.
Source: Original Article
