LONDON — Laila Soueif is not just a mathematician and university professor; she is also a dedicated political activist and a loving mother. As she sat in a folding chair outside the British prime minister’s office on the 129th day of her hunger strike, her primary identity was that of a mother yearning for the freedom of her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has been imprisoned in Egypt for over five years on charges of “spreading false news” via social media. Soueif believes that sacrificing her health is the only way to draw attention to what she perceives as her son’s unjust incarceration.
She stated, “The great majority of mothers are prepared to die for their children; it just takes different forms. Most mothers, if their children are in actual danger, are prepared to die.” Abd el-Fattah, an influential pro-democracy advocate, has been incarcerated for most of the past fourteen years after his participation in the 2011 uprising that led to the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak. His recent transgression involved simply liking a Facebook post that detailed torture occurring within Egyptian prisons. He has been imprisoned since September 2019 and received a five-year sentence through an emergency security court. Upon reaching his release date last September, authorities chose not to acknowledge the over two years he spent in pre-trial detention, setting his new release date for January 3, 2027.
With Abd el-Fattah holding both British and Egyptian citizenship, Soueif is urging the UK government to intervene and pressure Cairo for his release. She believes this is an opportune moment for British involvement, particularly as Egypt seeks European support in light of President Trump’s controversial plan regarding the Gaza Strip and potential displacement of its Palestinian residents. Soueif noted the pressing need for Egypt to seek allies and stated, “Freeing other political prisoners in Egypt would be a good thing to do right now.”
Her son is far from the only individual incarcerated for dissenting views. Countless critics of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi have been imprisoned under harsh circumstances following unjust legal proceedings, according to human rights organizations. Abd el-Fattah previously went on hunger strike during the COP27 climate conference in Egypt, drawing attention to the government’s severe repression of freedom of speech and political expression, although this did not lead to his release. Since 2013, el-Sissi’s administration has intensified its crackdown on dissenters, imprisoning thousands and imposing strict regulations on protests while closely monitoring social media. Human Rights Watch estimated in 2019 that around 60,000 political prisoners were held in Egypt, though current estimates have not been released since then. In a past interview, el-Sissi denied the existence of political prisoners in the country.
“What we are witnessing under el-Sissi’s leadership is a continuous and relentless repression,” remarked Amr Magdi, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. When approached for comment on Abd el-Fattah’s case, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry declined to respond, stating that inquiries were a matter for their embassy in the UK, which also did not answer requests. Rights advocates suggest that authorities frequently introduce new accusations against political prisoners to sidestep laws restricting pre-trial detention durations.
During a recent United Nations Human Rights Council review, the Egyptian government maintained that Abd el-Fattah’s trial had been fair and that his prison term is legitimate until 2027. Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office insists they are actively urging for his release. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written to el-Sissi multiple times, and Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed the matter with his Egyptian counterpart as recently as late January. The Foreign Office emphasized, “Our priority remains securing the release of Mr. Abd el-Fattah so that he can be reunited with his family.”
Soueif acknowledged the British government’s efforts but called for increased action to benefit her son’s situation, asserting, “Nobody should be imprisoned for speech or writing — nobody.” The determined 68-year-old has maintained her hunger strike since September 29, consuming nothing more than herbal tea, black coffee, and hydration salts. She has repeatedly camped outside the Foreign Office every weekday to ensure officials recognize her cause. After yielding no results, she transitioned to staging her protests at the gates of 10 Downing Street.
Her endeavor has taken a toll on her health; Soueif has lost 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and noted, “I’m slower. I’m more weepy.” Yet, despite her deteriorating condition, she understands the gravity of her fight. She stated, “It’s already a miracle I have hung on this long. What to say? We are in completely uncharted waters. … It’s a risk I have to take.” Every morning, she continues to sit in her chair, marking each day of her hunger strike on the pavement.
Adorned with “Free Alaa” banners and memories captured in photographs, Soueif often engages with passersby, including young students, explaining her cause. “My son, my son,” she pleads, as she emphasizes her commitment to continuing her efforts until either her son’s release occurs or her health forces her to stop. “I’m going on until either Alaa is released or I collapse,” she declared. “And I don’t know how long that will be.”
