MP Zarah Sultana Protests for Hunger Striker Qesser Zuhrah's Urgent Medical Care
An MP, Zarah Sultana, has staged a protest outside HMP Bronzefield, demanding immediate medical attention for Qesser Zuhrah, a hunger striker who has been refusing food for 46 days. The Coventry South MP claims that Zuhrah is critically ill and faces an immediate risk of death. Zuhrah is on remand, awaiting trial on charges related to the activities of Palestine Action, a group banned under terrorism legislation.
Sultana's protest, which took place on Wednesday, included calls for an ambulance to be allowed into the prison. She later confirmed that Zuhrah had been transferred to a hospital. The government's ban on Palestine Action, announced in July, criminalizes membership or support for the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The ban was challenged by Huda Ammori, the group's co-founder, who argued it violated the right to free speech.
The protest involved multiple individuals across five prisons, all charged with offenses linked to Palestine Action. Lawyers representing the group warned that their clients faced a real and increasing risk of death in prison due to their hunger strike. The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed their presence at the prison but provided no further details. HMP Bronzefield's spokesperson stated that all prisoners have full access to healthcare, including external medical facilities if needed, and that those refusing food receive regular medical assessments and mental health support.
The protest highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the treatment of prisoners on hunger strike and the potential implications of the Terrorism Act on free speech and protest rights.
