Greenpeace UK statement on the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah

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In light of the new government taking office, Greenpeace UK’s new executive directors, Areeba Hamid and Will McCallum, have issued the following statement about the urgent case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a dual British-Egyptian citizen currently on hunger strike in an Egyptian jail:

“Greenpeace UK is calling for Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s safe release and return to the UK to be prioritised across all UK diplomatic channels.

“We know the UK government has spoken about this case. Alaa’s case was raised twice by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Liz Truss, as Foreign Secretary, told Parliament she was “working very hard for his release.” The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa said the government was “urgently seeking consular access”. That was on May 30th. 

“Now Alaa’s life is at serious risk. He is out of hope and has been on hunger strike since 2nd April 2022. Since 26th May, he has been consuming 100 calories a day – a teaspoon of honey and a bit of milk is all that’s been keeping him alive.

“It is vital that the UK goes beyond lip service and uses its significant leverage to release Alaa and other prisoners, or else risk tacitly endorsing this pattern.

“This is especially the case now. COP27, just a few days away, will be a moment of intense public scrutiny on Egypt. We understand that the UK government has lent significant support to their Egyptian counterparts to deliver a complex logistical operation and to secure the legacy of the Glasgow climate. We ask that you also ensure that the UK prioritises securing the release of political prisoners, not least its own citizens such as Alaa. 

“This is a crucial summit in which we urge the UK to play a leading role on the issue of climate finance, which at present is vastly insufficient. But the UK government must also recognise the dire situation of Egypt’s human rights. You cannot have climate justice without social justice. We have also written privately to the UK government on this issue.”

ENDS

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