UN Experts Warn UK Over Treatment of Pro-Palestine Hunger Strikers as Health Deteriorates
United Nations human rights specialists express ‘grave concern’ about hunger-striking prisoners and call for urgent government action
United Nations human rights experts have publicly expressed grave concern about the welfare of eight pro-Palestinian activists on hunger strike in British prisons, urging the United Kingdom government to uphold its obligations to safeguard detainees’ health amid reports of neglect and declining conditions.
The eight individuals, linked to the group Palestine Action, have been on hunger strike for nearly two months while being held on remand and awaiting trial for alleged break-ins or criminal damage before the organisation was banned under terrorism legislation.
Several of the strikers have gone without food for more than fifty days, leading to multiple hospital admissions and alarms from medical professionals about imminent organ failure and irreversible harm if specialist care is not provided.
The UN statement, endorsed by eight independent experts including special rapporteurs on freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, and Palestinian rights, emphasised that the state’s duty of care is heightened rather than diminished when detainees undertake hunger strikes, and must include timely access to emergency and hospital treatment.
The experts warned that reports of delayed ambulance response and inadequate monitoring raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, particularly obligations to protect life and prevent cruel or degrading treatment.
The hunger strikers have framed their protest as a last resort, demanding immediate bail, an end to the proscription of Palestine Action, and changes to UK policies concerning arms firms and protest prosecutions; their legal representatives and families have repeatedly urged government engagement.
British authorities, while monitoring the situation and insisting that established procedures are being followed, have so far declined to meet with the strikers’ representatives or alter remand conditions, citing concerns about setting precedents.
The mounting medical warnings from clinicians and the UN experts’ appeal underscore the urgency of addressing the deteriorating health of the prison hunger strikers and the broader human rights implications of their treatment in detention.
The eight individuals, linked to the group Palestine Action, have been on hunger strike for nearly two months while being held on remand and awaiting trial for alleged break-ins or criminal damage before the organisation was banned under terrorism legislation.
Several of the strikers have gone without food for more than fifty days, leading to multiple hospital admissions and alarms from medical professionals about imminent organ failure and irreversible harm if specialist care is not provided.
The UN statement, endorsed by eight independent experts including special rapporteurs on freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, and Palestinian rights, emphasised that the state’s duty of care is heightened rather than diminished when detainees undertake hunger strikes, and must include timely access to emergency and hospital treatment.
The experts warned that reports of delayed ambulance response and inadequate monitoring raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, particularly obligations to protect life and prevent cruel or degrading treatment.
The hunger strikers have framed their protest as a last resort, demanding immediate bail, an end to the proscription of Palestine Action, and changes to UK policies concerning arms firms and protest prosecutions; their legal representatives and families have repeatedly urged government engagement.
British authorities, while monitoring the situation and insisting that established procedures are being followed, have so far declined to meet with the strikers’ representatives or alter remand conditions, citing concerns about setting precedents.
The mounting medical warnings from clinicians and the UN experts’ appeal underscore the urgency of addressing the deteriorating health of the prison hunger strikers and the broader human rights implications of their treatment in detention.
