Two prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action have been hospitalized while participating in a hunger strike, prompting concerns from their families and members of Parliament who are calling for government intervention regarding prison conditions.
Hunger Strike Enters Eighth Week
Amu Gib, 30, held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey while awaiting trial, is on day 50 of the hunger strike. Kamran Ahmed, 28, is on day 42 of his strike while being held at Pentonville prison in London. They are among eight prisoners admitted to hospital since the action began on November 2, according to Prisoners for Palestine.
Gib was provided with a wheelchair on Friday and transported to the hospital on Saturday. A friend and next of kin, Jessica Dolliver, 28, stated she wasn’t surprised by the development, noting Gib’s deteriorating condition.
Prisoners for Palestine stated that the hunger strikers will die without urgent government intervention, asserting that any harm to the prisoners would be a result of government negligence and the politicization of their detention.
Concerns Raised by MPs and Lawyers
MPs have written to the government expressing concerns over delays in medical assistance and limited communication with families. Lawyers representing the prisoners have criticized Justice Secretary David Lammy for refusing to meet with them.
Gib wrote in the Guardian on Friday about solidarity with Palestinians. He is currently on remand, suspected of involvement in a break-in at Brize Norton airbase in June, where two military aircraft were defaced with spray paint.
Gib is one of three prisoners – along with Qesser Zuhrah and Jon Cink – who have been admitted to hospital.
HMP Bronzefield stated that all prisoners have full access to healthcare, including external medical facilities when needed. The prison service confirmed that prisoners refusing food receive regular medical assessment, support from clinicians, and mental health support.
Calls for Investigation
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is Gib’s MP and has visited him in detention, has written to the prisons inspectorate raising concerns over “inconsistent and unreliable” health treatment for those on hunger strike. The letter was also signed by MPs John McDonnell and Barry Gardiner.
Corbyn and over 50 other MPs previously urged Lammy to meet with the lawyers representing the hunger strikers. They expressed frustration with unanswered inquiries or vague reassurances regarding policies and guidelines.
Prisons minister Lord Timpson has stated the service is “very experienced” at dealing with hunger strikes and has “robust and working” systems in place, adding that the Prison Service “will not be meeting” any prisoners or their representatives.
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