The family of UK hunger striker Kamran Ahmed have said they ‘fear the worst’ and have pleaded with the government to ‘do better’ as he reaches almost 50 days without food
The family of a jailed hunger striker are “fearing the worst” as the make an urgent plea to the government.
Kamran Ahmed, 28, from London, has so far refused food for 44 days as part of a protest for Palestine. The man, who stands accused of using sledgehammers to smash his way into the UK site of an Israel-based defence company near Patchway, Bristol, has been on remand in HMP Pentonville for seven months.
Ahmed has since hospitalised after his health reached a critical point during his food strike, but he insists that dying for his cause would be “worthwhile”. He had been suffering from intense chest pains and tremors, which he likened to being tasered, as well as slurred speech before he was hospitalised in an emergency for the second time during his protest.
In a legal letter submitted on December 22 to Justice Secretary David Lammy, Palestine Action’s intention to commence legal action was outlined. The hunger strikers claim they have also 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, claims it denies.
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A Ministry of Justice spokesperson previously said: “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”.
Earlier this month, Kamran’s sister Shahmina Alam confronted Mr Lammy who said he “did not know” about the eight prisoners on hunger strike. She has since pleaded with Mr Lammy, urging that “there’s still time to do better.”
“Better for the citizens of the UK in ending the UK complicity in the ongoing genocide [by Israel in Gaza], by supporting the prisoners that are putting their lives on the line to ensure transparency and integrity in our justice and government systems,” Shahmina told The Guardian.
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“He has a choice. He can say something and he can do something about this and meet with the solicitors or family members of the hunger strikers and he can show a bit of humanity.”
His father Ali told the Middle East Eye that his health has deteriorated as his family waits anxiously for news about his son – updates that his daughter, Shahmina, says have now stopped coming.
“We [stopped] receiving updates. The hospitals go straight to the prison, not us,” says Shahmina. “Meaning if he turns for the worse or dies, we won’t hear it first. The prison will.”
“We know that if he stays in there, it will only get worse,” Kamran’s mother, Sanwara Begum says. “He will become even more ill. My son’s bed is empty every night. That’s what keeps me awake.”
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.”
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