Introduction

In a courageous act of resilience, Laila Soueif, an esteemed Egyptian mathematician and professor, has entered the 55th day of her hunger strike. Soueif began this life-threatening protest on September 29, following news that her son, Alaa Abd El Fattah, one of Egypt's most prominent political prisoners, would not be released after serving five years in an unjust sentence.

Alaa Abd El Fattah's Situation

Alaa's situation worsened when Egyptian authorities sent him a notice that his prior two years of pretrial detention would not be counted toward his total sentence. This chilling decision means that Alaa, now 43, may remain imprisoned until 2027—a fate that his family fears could extend indefinitely. His imprisonment reflects a broader strategy employed by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's regime, which has led to the incarceration of tens of thousands of political prisoners in Egypt since coming to power in a military coup in 2013.

Laila Soueif's Determination

Determined not to waver, Soueif, 68, vows to continue her hunger strike—sustaining herself on a minimal intake of water, rehydration salts, and sugarless tea and coffee—until her son is released. In an emotional interview from London, she defiantly stated, "I won’t back down and I will be very visible. When people ask, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ I say, ‘I’m creating a crisis.’”

International Efforts and Challenges

Soueif traveled to London ahead of an important meeting with David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, hoping to influence the Egyptian government into securing her son’s release. However, historical diplomatic efforts have seen mixed results. Alaa Abd El Fattah chronicled his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in a collection titled "You Have Not Yet Been Defeated," published in 2021. Alaa's activism has long posed a threat to the Egyptian regime. His first arrest occurred in 2006 for advocating judicial independence, followed by detentions in 2011 and 2013 for expressing dissent against the military and organizing protests, ultimately leading to his current sentence.

Alaa's Quest for British Citizenship

While in prison, Alaa has sought British citizenship through his mother, which her family hopes will prompt the UK government to exert pressure on Egypt to facilitate his release. Lammy, who has previously championed Alaa’s case, has emphasized the importance of securing consular access and his release. Nevertheless, Soueif reports no progress in this fight, exacerbated by Egypt's strengthened global position due to geopolitical developments, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has led to increased Western support for the Egyptian government.

The COP 27 Climate Conference

Last year's COP 27 climate conference illustrated the international community's concern for Alaa's plight when activists called for his freedom. However, the pressure yielded no results, leading to a premature halt to his previous hunger strike as he suffered a physical and emotional breakdown. The struggle to secure justice for political detainees like Alaa is an uphill battle, compounded by a lack of accountability and systemic oppression in Egypt.

Unwavering Commitment

Laila Soueif's commitment to her son's cause is unwavering, recalling a prior hunger strike she undertook a decade ago alongside her daughter, which lasted 70 days in response to Alaa's previous imprisonment. While she remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts will ultimately result in progress for her son, she has prepared herself for the possibility of severe consequences. "If it needs me to go as far as falling apart or dying for this crisis to hit home, then that’s what will happen," she stated. "I hope I don’t get there."

Conclusion

As the world watches this bold demonstration of maternal love and activism, the question lingers: how long will it take before the cries for justice are finally heard, not just for one, but for all the silenced souls imprisoned under authoritarian regimes?