Sister's fear for jailed hunger striker affiliated with Palestine Action

The sister of one of six Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers has said she fears every conversation with him will be her last and that ministers are waiting for them to all be hospitalised or "even worse" before engaging with them.

- Haroon Siddique

Two of those who are refusing food were taken to hospital last week, and with the rolling hunger strike having entered its second month yesterday there is mounting concern for their safety.

Shahmina Amal, whose 28-year-old brother, Kamran Ahmed, was taken to hospital on 25 November, condemned the government for failing to respond to their demands. They include immediate bail, unbanning Palestine Action and an end to restriction on communications.

"He's gone into his fourth week of a hunger strike and we've had no response from the home secretary and the Ministry of Justice, which leads to feelings of frustration, anger and a deep-rooted sadness," said Amal.

She added: "If I start thinking about too much, I will break apart. Every single time I speak to him, I'm like: this could be our last conversation. Are we waiting for all of them to be in hospital or even worse before the government decides to respond?"