…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist, is currently serving a five-year sentence in Egypt on charges of disseminating false news.
The charges stem from a retweet he made in 2019 regarding the death of another prisoner while in custody.
Vigil for Freedom
In front of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office in Westminster, London, the family of Alaa Abd El-Fattah led a vigil organized by Amnesty International UK.
The vigil aimed to raise awareness and call for action from the UK Government to secure his release.
Pleas to the UK Government
During the vigil, Alaa’s mother, Laila Soueif, emphasized that her son’s primary desire is to be freed from prison and take care of his son.
Ms. Soueif and her daughter, Mona Seif, delivered a letter signed by over 100 MPs and lords to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
The letter urged the UK Government to take more decisive steps, including leading on a joint statement about Egypt’s human rights situation at the Human Rights Council and revising travel advice for British nationals heading to Egypt.
Disappointment in World Leaders
Mona Seif expressed her disappointment in world leaders, particularly Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whom she believed let her family down.
Despite Mr. Sunak raising Alaa’s case during a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the family did not receive adequate information about Alaa’s condition or assurances of consular visits.
Current Condition and Restricted Access
The family has been able to visit Alaa in Egypt and noted some improvement in his condition.
He has been transferred from a maximum-security prison and now has access to books, monthly family visits, and music.
However, he still faces restricted access to consulate services and lawyers.
Urgent Call for Transparency and Human Rights Focus
Mona Seif emphasized the need for the UK Government to provide clear and transparent information to British nationals about the unstable situation in Egypt.
She called on the government to prioritize human rights, the rule of law, and the well-being of its citizens over trade deals and diplomatic relations with a military dictatorship.
Conclusion:
The vigil led by the family of Alaa Abd El-Fattah in London served as a call to action for the UK Government to advocate for his freedom.
With pleas for greater attention to human rights abuses in Egypt and revised travel advice for British nationals, the family hopes to see concrete steps taken to secure Alaa’s release and prioritize human rights in international relations.