A group of Nobel laureates and activists is urging Egyptian President al-Sisi to release Alaa Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist sentenced to five years in prison. His mother has been on a severe hunger strike for over 150 days. The appeal emphasizes the need for a presidential pardon as a humane act amidst widespread concern for his health and well-being.
A coalition of Nobel Prize winners and esteemed activists is urging Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah. This appeal was publicized by the Committee to Protect Journalists and includes signatories like Nobel laureates Narges Mohammadi and Orhan Pamuk.
The appeal has garnered support from fifty prominent figures, urging clemency for the 43-year-old human rights advocate. His mother, Laila Soueif, has been on a hunger strike for 156 days demanding her son’s release, emphasizing the dire humanitarian conditions surrounding the case.
The open letter features contributions from renowned authors such as Arundhati Roy and Elif Shafak, alongside organizations like Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch. The authors emphasized the importance of a presidential pardon as an essential act of humanity and justice.
Alaa Abdel Fattah played a crucial role in Egypt’s 2011 revolution which toppled former President Hosni Mubarak. In 2019, he was sentenced to five years for “spreading false news” relating to allegations of torture in prisons.
His mother has been hospitalized in London due to severe health issues stemming from her prolonged hunger strike, which began when her son’s anticipated release was not honored. Despite her condition, she has recently accepted intravenous glucose fluids to help stabilize her health.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed Abdel Fattah’s situation with President Sisi last week, leading Soueif to express cautious optimism regarding her son’s potential release. The Egyptian presidential pardons committee, reestablished in 2022, has previously granted amnesty to several high-profile political prisoners, including Abdel Fattah’s lawyer, Mohamed al-Baqer.
The campaign for Alaa Abdel Fattah’s release has gained significant momentum with support from notable figures and organizations. His mother’s prolonged hunger strike and the involvement of the UK Prime Minister highlight the urgent need for action. The Egyptian government’s history of granting pardons is a hopeful indicator for Abdel Fattah’s case, reinforcing the essential ties between humanitarian advocacy and political action.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
