A desperate plea for freedom echoes from within Britain’s prison walls. Twenty-four activists, known as the Filton 24, are engaged in a rapidly escalating hunger strike – now the largest collective protest of its kind in nearly four decades – demanding an end to their prolonged pre-trial detention and challenging the government’s response to pro-Palestine demonstrations.
The situation reached a critical point when Teuta Hoxha was hospitalized, her health failing just days after the strike began on November 27th. Concerns are mounting as the activists face imprisonment exceeding the UK’s legal limit of six months before a trial, a situation raising serious questions about justice and due process.
The prosecution of these individuals has drawn international attention, becoming a pivotal test of how the current government is handling dissent and activism related to Palestine. It’s a case that’s ignited fury and frustration, reaching the steps of Parliament.
Last week, Kamran Ahmed’s sister, Shahmina, confronted Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, desperately seeking a response to the activists’ deteriorating health. The encounter was stark: footage shows Lammy appearing to dismiss her concerns, attempting to evade both her and the gathering crowd of protesters with a curt, “I do not know anything about this.”
The lack of engagement from the government has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Prominent MPs, including John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn, have voiced outrage at the silence from the Ministry of Justice, with McDonnell highlighting the Justice Secretary’s failure to respond to previous letters.
The situation is particularly dire for Lewie Chiaramello, a diabetic hunger striker. He is being transferred between prisons, and his loved ones live in fear that his access to vital insulin and needles will be denied again – a potentially fatal act of negligence that occurred during a previous transfer.
Within the prisons, the struggle continues. Qesser Zuhrah, held at HMP Bronzefield, has been on strike for over 38 days. Arrested at just 19, she now finds herself facing accusations of terrorism, and reports indicate prison staff have confiscated her religious head coverings, attempting to suppress her identity and spirit.
Despite the harsh conditions, Zuhrah’s message remains defiant: “They won’t imprison us all… so flood the damn streets in your millions. Shut down these factories in your thousands! They can never arrest the resistance in our smiles.” Her words encapsulate the unwavering resolve of the group.
Amnesty International UK has warned that the UK’s anti-terrorism laws are “excessively broad and open to misuse,” pointing to this case as a stark example. The organization fears these laws are being used to justify lengthy detentions and draconian prison conditions, effectively silencing legitimate protest.
The activists’ demands are simple: bail and the right to a fair trial. They are also calling for the de-proscription of Palestine Action, a group banned under controversial terrorism legislation. Their fight is not just for their own freedom, but for the right to protest and advocate for Palestinian rights without fear of unjust prosecution.
The arrests themselves paint a picture of escalating actions and increasingly severe consequences. Amu Gib and Jon Cink face trial for allegedly disrupting operations at RAF Brize Norton, while Heba Muraisi and Teuta Hoxha were arrested in connection with the raid on an Elbit Systems plant in Filton, Bristol. Kamran Ahmed’s arrest involved a violent raid on his home, with his elderly parents reportedly denied essential medication.
As the hunger strike continues, the stakes grow higher. The Filton 24 are not simply protesting their own detention; they are challenging the boundaries of free speech and the use of anti-terrorism laws in a democracy. Their struggle is a powerful reminder of the human cost of political activism and the urgent need for justice and accountability.
