UN Experts Express Alarm Over UK Neglect of Pro-Palestine Hunger Strikers

"UK authorities have refused to meet with the activists, some of whom have been on hunger strike for over 50 days. Protesters' shadows are projected onto the prison walls above placards in support of the hunger strikers. Supporters of the Filton 24, a group of pro-Palestine activists, rallied outside HMP Peterborough in solidarity with the 24 prisoners on remand and the six currently on hunger strike in prisons across the U.K."

"UN experts have expressed " grave concern " for the lives of imprisoned pro-Palestine activists on hunger strike in the U.K., reminding U.K. authorities of their responsibility to protect the health of the activists after reports of neglect. The experts emphasized that the state has a "heightened, not diminished" responsibility to take care of people when they are on hunger strike."

"The statement was signed by eight UN experts, including Gina Romero, UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly; Irene Khan, UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestinian rights. A group of eight Palestine Action-linked activists in pre-trial detention have been on a rolling hunger strike for nearly two months, with four of them having refused food for over 50 days now."

UK authorities have refused to meet with pro-Palestine activists, some of whom have been on hunger strike for over 50 days. Supporters of the Filton 24 rallied outside HMP Peterborough in solidarity with prisoners on remand and the six currently on hunger strike across the UK. UN experts expressed " grave concern " for the lives of imprisoned activists and reminded authorities of their responsibility to protect the activists' health after reports of neglect. The experts emphasized a "heightened, not diminished" state duty to care for people on hunger strike and to ensure ready access to medical care without retaliation. Eight UN experts signed the statement. Palestine Action-linked detainees are demanding an end to the UK ban on Palestine Action, bail for imprisoned activists, and the closure of Elbit Systems' UK branch.

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