"Lawyers of imprisoned hunger-striking activists linked to the protest group Palestine Action have put the British government on notice as the justice secretary refuses to meet them. Imran Khan & Partners, which represents the collective, wrote a pre-claim letter to the government on Monday, warning that they would seek a High Court case should officials fail to respond by Tuesday afternoon."
"There are rising fears that one or more of them could soon die in jail. In recent days, their relatives and loved ones have told Al Jazeera of their deteriorating health and repeated hospital admissions. Their lawyers have long called for a meeting with Justice Secretary David Lammy to discuss welfare and prison conditions, believing such an intervention could be life-saving."
"Our clients' food refusal constitutes the largest co-ordinated hunger strike in British history since 1981, the lawyers wrote, referring to the Irish Republican inmates led by Bobby Sands. Sands and nine others died of starvation, one on day 46 of the protest. As of today's date, [the current] strike has lasted up to 51 days, nearly two months, and poses a significant risk to their life with each passing day, the lawyers wrote."
Lawyers representing imprisoned hunger-striking Palestine Action activists served a pre-claim letter to the government and warned of a High Court challenge if officials do not respond. Eight activists aged 20 to 31 began a rolling hunger strike on November 2 and have faced repeated hospital admissions and deteriorating health. Lawyers asked Justice Secretary David Lammy to intervene on welfare and prison conditions, but the government refused, saying hunger strikes are not unusual and medical policies are being followed. The lawyers stated the strike is the largest coordinated hunger protest in Britain since 1981 and poses a growing risk to life.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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