The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reportedly declined to engage with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a British Egyptian pro-democracy activist imprisoned in Egypt. Alaa’s mother, Laila Soueif, has been on a prolonged hunger strike in London to demand her son’s release. Despite Starmer’s efforts, including a call on May 22, President el-Sisi has not responded, and Egypt continues to reject Alaa’s British citizenship. The UK government, through Foreign Secretary David Lammy, is exploring measures to express disapproval, though these efforts appear to have limited impact so far.
Laila Soueif’s health has deteriorated significantly due to her hunger strike, which she resumed on May 20 after a brief pause. She has lost over 42% of her body weight and is now hospitalized in London with dangerously low blood sugar levels. Her condition remains critical, and her family has stated they will honor her wish not to prolong her life artificially if she loses consciousness.
The UK government has expressed deep concern over Laila Soueif’s health and has been in contact with her family. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has raised the issue directly with his Egyptian counterpart, but there has been no indication of a change in Egypt’s stance.
This situation underscores the challenges faced by the UK in advocating for the rights of its citizens abroad, particularly in cases where diplomatic relations are strained. The lack of response from President el-Sisi highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the limitations of governmental influence in such matters.
As the crisis continues, there is growing pressure on both the UK and Egyptian governments to take decisive action to address the situation and prevent further harm to Laila Soueif. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that respects human rights and the rule of law.
