Mother of Egyptian Political Prisoner Stages 55-Day Hunger Strike for Justice

Laila Soueif, a British-born mathematician and professor, has been steadfast in her hunger strike, which entered its 55th day as of Saturday. Her son, Alaa Abd El Fattah, a prominent figure among Egypt’s political prisoners, was sentenced to five years after his recent release date was revised to 2027, excluding his two years spent in pretrial detention. In anticipation of his release, the Egyptian authorities informed him that his preliminary detention wouldn’t be recognized, perpetuating the cycle of injustice that many political prisoners face in the country. Over the years, since the rise to power of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi following a military coup in 2013, a significant number of political activists have been incarcerated, as reported by human rights organizations. At 68 years old, Soueif is determined to persist in her protest, sustaining herself on water, rehydration salts, and sugarless beverages. She tirelessly advocates for her son’s release and expresses that she won’t give up her fight, stating, “I won’t back down and I will be very visible.” During an interview in London, she emphasized her commitment to raising awareness by saying, “When people ask, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ I say, ‘I’m creating a crisis.’” As international attention focuses on her and her son’s plight, Soueif hopes for a stronger response from the UK government to combat the systematic repression in Egypt.