Abd el-Fattah said in a letter to his family that he would begin a zero-calorie hunger strike on Tuesday and stop drinking water from November 6, when global climate talks are due to begin in the Red Sea city. “I have decided to escalate, at the right time, my fight for my freedom and the freedom of all prisoners,” he wrote. His sister Mona Seif said in a video statement posted on social media that the decision was irreversible. “He decided that if they were determined to keep him in prison forever or until he died, then at least he would decide the terms of the battle and lead the charge,” he said. “I can’t ask him to stop what he’s doing.” Abd el-Fattah, an outspoken dissident and UK citizen, rose to prominence with the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings that swept the Middle East and in Egypt toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak. He was first convicted in 2014 after being convicted of taking part in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer. He was released in 2019 after serving a five-year term, but was rearrested later that year in a crackdown that followed rare anti-government protests. In December 2021, he was sentenced to another five years in prison on charges of spreading fake news. He also faces separate charges of abusing social media and joining a “terrorist” group – a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which authorities designated a “terrorist organization” in 2013. For months, the 40-year-old influential blogger went on a partial hunger strike, eating just 100 calories a day and raising health concerns. The family, who communicate with Abd el-Fattah through weekly letters and during rare visits, say they fear that if he is not released during the climate conference, he will die without water. The family’s next visit is scheduled for November 17. Abd el-Fattah’s sister, Sanaa Seif, staged a sit-in at Britain’s Foreign Office headquarters on Tuesday to pressure the UK to take action in his case. In April, the family announced that he had been granted British citizenship through his mother, Laila Soueif, as a way out of his “impossible ordeal”. On Twitter, Seif said her brother wasn’t “bluffing”. “He is fueled by hope to be reunited with us and anger at the 9 years that were stolen from his life,” he said. Alaa has just had his last cup of tea in prison. As of today he is on a zero calorie strike. In 5 days, as #COP27 begins, he will stop consuming water as well. Alaa is not bluffing, he is fueled by the hope of being reunited with us and the rage for the 9 years that were stolen from his life. #FreeAlaa pic.twitter.com/5j1f5r2nil — Sanaa (@sana2) November 1, 2022 Egypt’s human rights record is under increasing scrutiny ahead of the global climate conference, and Abd el-Fattah’s plight has been highlighted by prominent activists, including Canadian author Naomi Klein. “Alaa will either be free in the next few days or die in prison during #COP27 as the world watches,” Klein tweeted. “His family and friends did everything possible to work for his release.” This is shocking news. Alaa will either be free in the next few days or die in prison during #COP27 as the world watches. His family + friends have done everything possible to work for his release. He is a hero in prison for sharing a Facebook post about torture. #FreeAlaa — Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) October 31, 2022 The hashtag #FreeAlaa has become a rallying cry against a government that has relentlessly silenced dissent and suppressed independent organizations for years with arrests and restrictions. Human Rights Watch in September said in a report that the Egyptian government had severely limited the ability of environmental groups to conduct independent policy, advocacy and field work necessary to protect the country’s natural environment. These restrictions violated the rights to freedom of assembly and association and threatened Egypt’s ability to meet its environmental and climate action commitments, it said. Abd el-Fattah comes from a family of political activists, lawyers and writers. His late father was one of Egypt’s most tireless advocates for rights. His sisters – also British citizens – are also political activists and his aunt is the award-winning novelist Ahdaf Soueif.

title: " Dead Or Free Alaa Abd El Fattah Escalates Hunger Strike Human Rights News " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-22” author: “Lucy Thomsen”

Abd el-Fattah said in a letter to his family that he would begin a zero-calorie hunger strike on Tuesday and stop drinking water from November 6, when global climate talks are due to begin in the Red Sea city. “I have decided to escalate, at the right time, my fight for my freedom and the freedom of all prisoners,” he wrote. His sister Mona Seif said in a video statement posted on social media that the decision was irreversible. “He decided that if they were determined to keep him in prison forever or until he died, then at least he would decide the terms of the battle and lead the charge,” he said. “I can’t ask him to stop what he’s doing.” Abd el-Fattah, an outspoken dissident and UK citizen, rose to prominence with the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings that swept the Middle East and in Egypt toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak. He was first convicted in 2014 after being convicted of taking part in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer. He was released in 2019 after serving a five-year term, but was rearrested later that year in a crackdown that followed rare anti-government protests. In December 2021, he was sentenced to another five years in prison on charges of spreading fake news. He also faces separate charges of abusing social media and joining a “terrorist” group – a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which authorities designated a “terrorist organization” in 2013. For months, the 40-year-old influential blogger went on a partial hunger strike, eating just 100 calories a day and raising health concerns. The family, who communicate with Abd el-Fattah through weekly letters and during rare visits, say they fear that if he is not released during the climate conference, he will die without water. The family’s next visit is scheduled for November 17. Abd el-Fattah’s sister, Sanaa Seif, staged a sit-in at Britain’s Foreign Office headquarters on Tuesday to pressure the UK to take action in his case. In April, the family announced that he had been granted British citizenship through his mother, Laila Soueif, as a way out of his “impossible ordeal”. On Twitter, Seif said her brother wasn’t “bluffing”. “He is fueled by hope to be reunited with us and anger at the 9 years that were stolen from his life,” he said. Alaa has just had his last cup of tea in prison. As of today he is on a zero calorie strike. In 5 days, as #COP27 begins, he will stop consuming water as well. Alaa is not bluffing, he is fueled by the hope of being reunited with us and the rage for the 9 years that were stolen from his life. #FreeAlaa pic.twitter.com/5j1f5r2nil — Sanaa (@sana2) November 1, 2022 Egypt’s human rights record is under increasing scrutiny ahead of the global climate conference, and Abd el-Fattah’s plight has been highlighted by prominent activists, including Canadian author Naomi Klein. “Alaa will either be free in the next few days or die in prison during #COP27 as the world watches,” Klein tweeted. “His family and friends did everything possible to work for his release.” This is shocking news. Alaa will either be free in the next few days or die in prison during #COP27 as the world watches. His family + friends have done everything possible to work for his release. He is a hero in prison for sharing a Facebook post about torture. #FreeAlaa — Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) October 31, 2022 The hashtag #FreeAlaa has become a rallying cry against a government that has relentlessly silenced dissent and suppressed independent organizations for years with arrests and restrictions. Human Rights Watch in September said in a report that the Egyptian government had severely limited the ability of environmental groups to conduct independent policy, advocacy and field work necessary to protect the country’s natural environment. These restrictions violated the rights to freedom of assembly and association and threatened Egypt’s ability to meet its environmental and climate action commitments, it said. Abd el-Fattah comes from a family of political activists, lawyers and writers. His late father was one of Egypt’s most tireless advocates for rights. His sisters – also British citizens – are also political activists and his aunt is the award-winning novelist Ahdaf Soueif.