LONDON — Laila Soueif wears many hats as a mathematician, university lecturer, and political activist. Yet, on day 129 of her hunger strike, she embodies the role of a mother, determined to advocate for her son who has been unjustly imprisoned in Egypt for more than five years. Her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a prominent pro-democracy advocate, faces accusations of “spreading false news” through social media, and Soueif feels that self-sacrifice is the only means to highlight what she perceives as her son’s wrongful detention.
“I believe that most mothers would go to extraordinary lengths for their children,” she expressed during her protest outside the British Prime Minister’s office. “If you’d do anything to protect them from serious harm, that often leads to extreme actions.” Abd el-Fattah, who has been a vocal opponent of authoritarianism in Egypt, has spent the majority of the last fourteen years incarcerated, stemming from his involvement in the 2011 uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. His current sentence arose from a minor action—merely “liking” a post on Facebook that documented torture cases in Egyptian jails.
After being imprisoned since September 2019, he received a five-year sentence from a controversial emergency security court. Following the completion of two years of pre-trial detention, the authorities decided not to acknowledge the time already served, thus extending his incarceration until January 3, 2027. Given that Abd el-Fattah holds both British and Egyptian citizenship, Soueif has urged the UK government to exert pressure on Egypt to secure her son’s release.
Soueif pointed out that this might be an opportune moment for Britain to act, particularly with Egypt seeking European allies. She highlighted the political climate, stating, “Egypt needs support from its European partners, especially in light of recent global tensions over proposals affecting the Gaza Strip.” She believes that freeing political prisoners would not only benefit individual lives but would also enhance Egypt’s standing among its allies and with its own populace.
Alaa Abd el-Fattah is not alone in his struggle. Reports estimate thousands of political dissidents are imprisoned in Egypt under severe conditions. His own hunger strike, which began during the COP27 climate summit, aimed to draw international attention to the oppression faced by advocates of free speech. Unfortunately, even this action failed to secure his release. Since Mohamed Morsi’s ouster in 2013, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s regime has intensified its crackdown on dissent, leading to the imprisonment of countless individuals under repressive laws that have stifled protests and free speech.
Human Rights Watch revealed that around 60,000 political prisoners remain in Egypt, though recent figures are scarce. In a previous interview with US media, President el-Sissi claimed there were no political prisoners in Egypt, downplaying the stark reality described by human rights advocates who contend that governmental suppression has reached unprecedented levels. A spokesman for Egypt’s Foreign Ministry did not reply to requests for comments regarding Abd el-Fattah’s ongoing detention or talks with the UK concerning his predicament.
As is often the case, authorities in Egypt are known to rotate charges against detainees to bypass legal restrictions on prolonged pre-trial detentions. During a recent review of human rights in Egypt by the United Nations, the government defended Abd el-Fattah’s trial as fair while asserting that his sentence would conclude in 2027. In contrast, UK officials continue to advocate for his release, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer making multiple appeals to President el-Sissi and Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressing the situation last January.
Soueif has recognized the British government’s efforts but calls for increased action. “No one should endure imprisonment for exercising their right to speak or write openly, especially in countries that claim to embrace democratic values,” she remarked. Thus, her fight for her son’s freedom continues unabated. Since September 29, the day marking her son’s anticipated release, she has been subsisting on herbal tea and diluted rehydration solutions as part of her hunger strike.
Initially camped outside the Foreign Office, she shifted her focus in mid-January to 10 Downing Street, where she remained resolute in her mission. With each passing morning, she marks her hunger strike on the pavement, surrounded by placards demanding her son’s freedom and showcasing photographs capturing joyful moments between the two of them. Her emotional toll is evident; Soueif has lost significant weight and has been experiencing health issues, including visits to the emergency room.
“I’m becoming more fragile, more emotional,” she confessed, reflecting on the profound psychological impact of her struggle. “Remaining steadfast through this ordeal seems almost miraculous.” She persists in this daunting endeavor every day, unfurling her chair and joining the sidewalk protests as long as it takes. “I will continue until Alaa is either released or I can no longer endure,” she affirmed, uncertain of when that point may come.
