PRESS RELEASE
60+ parliamentarians call on Foreign Secretary to make fresh push for release of British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah - 5 January 2024
More than 60 cross-party MPs have written to new Foreign Secretary David Cameron urging him to prioritise the case of imprisoned British citizen Alaa Abd el-Fattah.
Alaa has been imprisoned in Egypt for most of the last decade for his activism and writing in relation to Egypt’s pro-democracy uprising in 2011.
In their letter sent last month, parliamentarians including Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley, Layla Moran, and Kim Leadbeater, remind Cameron that despite PM Rishi Sunak telling Alaa’s family in late 2022 that he was “totally committed to resolving” the case, he remains in prison, and British officials in Egypt continue to be denied even consular access to him.
The letter’s signatories are calling on Cameron to draw on his “history of engagement with world leaders, including President Sisi” in a fresh push to see Alaa released and reunited with his family in the UK.
In July, parliamentarians wrote to Cameron’s predecessor James Cleverly, outlining a series of practical steps the Foreign Office could take to secure Alaa’s release.
In November, Alaa’s family filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention over his continuing and unjust imprisonment.
Omar Robert Hamilton, Alaa’s cousin, commented:
“A year ago it felt like we were on the cusp of a breakthrough. Alaa was on hunger strike in prison, the whole world was paying attention and a procession of world leaders were calling for his release. But then nothing happened. Egypt didn’t blink - and the Prime Minister didn’t press. And now a whole year has passed, without any indication of progress. Not even a consular visit.
“We hope that the appointment of Lord Cameron will bring the focus, diplomacy and determination needed to finally end Alaa’s decade of punishment for making people dare to dream of democracy.”
