Help residents asking Barry Gardiner to urge David Lammy to act on weakening Brent hunger striker Heba Muraisi

 

Noreen and Alan Scott are Brent residents very concerned about the condition of the Palestine Action  hunger strikers. They have written to their MP, Barry Gardiner to ask him to urge Justice Minister, David Lammy, to act to prevent loss of life.

They invite residents to sign the letter by emailing  noreenscott@hotmail.co.uk or copying her into their email to Barry Gardiner. Add comments and requests in comments section below this article. Barry Gardiner's email address: barry.gardiner.mp@parliament.uk

Remember to put your address  on your email so that Barry Gardiner knows you are a constituent.

 Dear Barry,

We understand that one of your constituents, Heba Muraisi (one of the Filton 24) has been on hunger strike for since 3rd November, which is now 41 days and rising.

This is a very serious, life and death, situation and I/we are increasingly concerned that the government and its associated institutions are failing in their duty of care to this young woman, as well as seven others’ who are on hunger strike, protesting against their conditions in prison as well as the tainted political shenanigans associated with their incarceration, all of which appears to be a blatant disregard for their human and legal rights.

“After 41 days of a hunger strike, the body undergoes severe physical changes, including significant muscle loss, weakness, and a high risk of organ failure. Prolonged fasting can lead to serious health complications, including infections and neurological issues, and may ultimately result in death if not addressed.”

Heba is now reported to be in HMP New Hall in Wakefield, Yorks. From Brent this is a 3.5 hour journey by car and almost 9 hours by public transport. 

Her family, friends and thousands within our community are deeply worried about her.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the government’s failure to respond to emails and requests for meetings.

Sadly it’s become evident that the government doesn’t care as it appears to be showing a contemptuous disregard for Heba’s human and legal rights - something that’s particularly worrying as her health, as well as the health of the seven others’ on hunger strike, is rapidly deteriorating.

In the circumstances, I/we implore you to visit Heba and do all you can to raise this serious matter with David Lammy, the Minister of Justice, and other associate government departments.

As we are rapidly approaching Christmas, the season of goodwill, please acknowledge the historic struggle and suffering of the Palestinians as well as the reason Heba took the action she did, along with other members of the Filton 24: an act in protest of the Israeli government’s indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and cruel treatment of the Palestinians, which has left over 70,000 dead, including women and children, with tens of thousands homeless and bereaved at Christmas. “A plausible genocide” according to the ICJ.

In relation to genocide ministers should also be reminded that: ‘Governments have a clear, binding legal duty to prevent genocide under international law, stemming from the 1948 Genocide Convention (Article I) and customary international law, obligating all states to act to stop it, even outside their borders if they have the capacity to influence events, with this duty reinforced by the UN's "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P) doctrine. This obligation requires states to take measures to prevent and punish genocide, not just react to it, with failure to do so potentially leading to state responsibility and even complicity.’

We should therefore remember, had the government honoured their responsibilities the Filton 24 would not have taken the action they did. 

Enough is enough! It’s time to acknowledge what’s going on. We must honour our duty and responsibilities as a nation to speak out and end the unnecessary suffering and complicity.

Please call for the immediate bail of Heba and the other seven hunger strikers. Address all their concerns in compliance with the law and their human rights.

Signed:

Noreen Scott

Alan Scott

Saba Qureshi

Martin Francis 

Sohail Ahmed 

Add your name by emailing Noreen Scott:   noreenscott@hotmail.co.uk include your address.