Egypt faces calls to release pro-democracy activist on hunger strike – BBC News

The United Nations human rights chief has called on Egypt to immediately release jailed British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah.

Volker Türk said his life was "at acute risk" after he escalated a hunger strike.

He began the strike in April to protest against the denial of consular visits, but stopped drinking water on 6 November, to coincide with the beginning of the COP27 summit.

His sister, Sanaa Seif, said: "All we know is that Alaa stopped drinking water 50 hours ago. We don't know where he is. We don't know if he is alive."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he stressed his "deep concern" at the case during a meeting with President Sisi at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday.

#Egypt #BBCNews

[robinmorritt]

My government sure likes handing out British citizenship to foreign troublemakers, over and over again. 🤦‍♂

[notjustforhackers]

Stands to reason that Cop27 would be held in an antidemocratic country. They must feel right at home.

[lordtywinofhouselannister]

Food, glorious food!
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we're in the mood --
Cold jelly and custard!
Peas, pudding and saveloys!
What next is the question?

[AndreDumoulin]

Alaa must be free, and thank you for making his case in the summit, as well as other political detainees in Egypt.

[omkhuluBasss]

you go to a different country you obey by their rules. if dont like it, dont go there. He can carry on with his strikes I hope no one caves into his nonsense

[AhmedEinstein]

It’s very clear that you are trying to ruin the inside matter.

[NaderNabilart]

Alaa and his family are so influential in the rights activism scene in Egypt. His father helped thousands of people get a decent defense at courts and rehabilitation after imprisonment, Alaa and his sisters Mona and Sanaa are advocating for personal rights and many more great causes. Sanaa was so young around 2011 you could think of her as our Greta Thunberg 😀 they are the most heartwarming family I've seen in Egypt. Alaa must be free along with the thousands in forced disappearance, pre-trial detentions for years, political prisioners and political prisoners who were accused of violent criminal charges and wrongfully sentenced with no evidence. It must happen.

[NaderNabilart]

Sanaa we're all proud of you. Alaa must be free, along with thousands of political detainees. his trial is unconstitutional and simply fraudulent. No case files for the defense? This is a circus, not a court!
Stay strong.

[purplehaze]

On hunger strike for 7 months? 7 months??

[abdelrahmanmostafa]

You want alaa free … we want stolen Rosetta Stone free as well

[finnishlion]

criminal should be held accountable its called common sense....

[abdelrahmanmostafa]

Double standards as usual… Britain loses her respect day after day

[DrAwad-nvcu]

I have a feeling, Alaa is dead already.

[azerazer]

Why double standard? Why is the international community blind about Human Rights abuses? There are hundreds of thousands of political prisoners behind bars in Egypt? Why is Alaa Abdelfatah only?

[Adam-ieed]

This dud used to live in the opposite building of me at yathrib street dokki
i have been overseas since 2014 when i realized that egypt won't change for the better i used to wonder to myself does this guy really believe he can stand against an entire armed mafia?
what about your duty towards yourself and family?
now 8 years passed im still in australia
have bought a house & new benz with a beautiful family
my advice is don't waste your life because it's not worth it
unless your being paid thats a whole different story

[shannonhalford]

So, necessary, in double time, for PM Rishi & the Foreign Secretary to step up the dialogue, build a bridge of communication quickly, to have a positive resolution to this gentleman's plight. I'm NY Toms very British future wife MD, America/Britain, Veteran, Middle E. & Continent of Africa

[AhmedEinstein]

Stop making conspiracy game in Egypt at this kind of event. It’s not a political event to discuss this trivial case.

[narimanmohamed]

Now it should be clear and everyone should know why Alaa is in prison, it’s not because of being an activist that says his political opinions, it’s for a criminal penalty, he incites for burning, killing police officers, insults women, calls for destruction and that’s why he’s in prison is that enough or it’s a matter of double standards?!

[auro]

bbc calls egypt to know if any more golden sarchophagus of mummies found

[switchedon]

Whatever happened to good old fashioned news, those days are well gone. It's all politically motivated now shee'ple ☠️👁️🔨