The families of six pro-Palestine activists on hunger strike in UK prisons say they are living in a perpetual 'state of panic', terrified they will be forced to write obituaries as the protesters' health rapidly deteriorates.
'I Pray I Never Have to Do an Obituary for Him'
Shahmina Alam, sister of hunger striker Kamran Ahmed, has described suffering regular panic attacks and severe sleep deprivation as her brother enters his 37th day without food. Ahmed, 28, from east London, is one of six remand prisoners awaiting trial for alleged roles in protests targeting defence facilities linked to Israel.
"I just pray that he's not going to be somebody who loses his life and I hope I never have to do an obituary for him," Alam told Metro. "The biggest fear is obviously him not making it through this but then there are the fears of also organ damage. He could be left with permanent heart damage, permanent brain damage."
Her brother is being held in HMP Pentonville and was charged with a non-terrorism offence relating to alleged criminal damage at a plant owned by Elbit Systems, a UK subsidiary of an Israeli defence firm.
Medical Professionals Issue Grave Warning
More than 500 medical professionals have signed an open letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy, urging immediate intervention. They warn the hunger strikers are 'nearing the point of no return' after losing a significant percentage of their body weight.
Dr James Smith, an A&E doctor and lecturer at University College London, stated bluntly at a press conference: 'The hunger strikers are dying.' He condemned the treatment of the activists in hospital, where they have reportedly been shackled. "The shackling of prisoners when in hospital, even when using toilet facilities, this is something I have never seen or experienced in my time as a medical professional," Dr Smith said.
The protest, now in its second month, is believed to be the largest coordinated hunger strike in UK prisons since the IRA protests of 1981, in which ten people died.
'Degrading' Treatment and Political Demands
Shahmina Alam alleged her brother was subjected to degrading conditions during hospitalisation, including being 'double handcuffed' and made to wear a 'ridiculous banana suit'. She claims he was denied access to books or any distraction during his stay.
The hunger strikers' demands include:
- An end to censorship and unrestricted access to mail.
- Changes to their security categorisation.
- Granting of bail.
- The right to a fair trial within a reasonable time.
Their case has drawn political support. Zarah Sultana MP and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have publicly backed the campaign. Corbyn revealed that a request for Lammy to meet the strikers' lawyers was met with a blunt 'no', and that some MPs laughed at the strength of the Justice Secretary's refusal.
Qesser Zuhrah, 20, was transferred to hospital from HMP Bronzefield on day 47 of her strike after supporters, including Sultana, warned she was at imminent risk of death. Skirmishes broke out between police and demonstrators outside the prison during the incident.
Government and Prison Service Response
The Ministry of Justice maintains it cannot comment on individual cases but stated: 'His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service has assured ministers that all cases of prisoner food refusal are being managed in accordance with the relevant policy.'
A spokesperson for HMP Bronzefield said any prisoner refusing food receives regular medical assessment and support, and encouraged individuals to raise complaints through official channels.
However, with the activists having been in pre-trial detention for well over a year—breaking the UK's typical six-month limit—and their health declining daily, families and supporters insist political intervention is now the only way to prevent a tragic outcome.
