A 20-year-old woman on a prolonged hunger strike in a Surrey prison has been transferred to hospital after supporters gathered outside the jail demanding she receive emergency medical attention. Qesser Zuhrah, who is being held on remand at HMP Bronzefield, is now on her 46th day without food.
Protesters Demand Urgent Medical Intervention
Demonstrators, including Zarah Sultana MP and Green peer Jenny Jones, assembled outside the prison on Tuesday night. They voiced grave concerns that Zuhrah's condition had become life-threatening. The protest followed reports from the prisoner-led group Prisoners for Palestine, which claimed the prison service had initially denied an ambulance entry on Tuesday afternoon. According to the group, Zuhrah was at that time unable to stand and was writhing in pain on her cell floor.
An ambulance eventually arrived and transported her to an external hospital on Wednesday afternoon. This followed a previous hospitalisation last Friday, after which lawyers allege she received inadequate follow-up care because the prison had reportedly run out of essential electrolytes.
Details of the Hunger Strike and Legal Battle
Zuhrah is one of six individuals currently refusing food in protest of their detention. All are alleged to be involved with the direct action group Palestine Action and have been held in pre-trial custody for over a year, exceeding the standard six-month custody time limit. Their demands include immediate bail, an end to the ban on Palestine Action, and the removal of restrictions on their communications.
The other hunger strikers are:
- Amy Gardiner-Gibson (also on day 46 at HMP Bronzefield)
- Heba Muraisi (day 44)
- Teuta Hoxha (day 38)
- Kamran Ahmed (day 37)
- Lewie Chiaramello (day 12), who has diabetes.
The 46-day mark is significant, equalling the length of time IRA hunger striker Martin Hurson refused food before his death in 1982.
Official Responses and Political Reactions
A spokesperson for HMP Bronzefield stated: “We cannot provide information about specific individuals however, we can confirm that all prisoners have full access to healthcare, including attendance at external medical facilities if needed. Any prisoner refusing food receives regular medical assessment and support from clinicians, as well as being offered mental health support.”
The case has drawn political attention. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn twice asked for government ministers to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers—first to Justice Minister Jake Richards and then to Prime Minister Keir Starmer during PMQs. Both requests were declined.
The healthcare provision at the prison is commissioned by the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, which referred enquiries to the Ministry of Justice.
