In Parliament, I recently met with the families of Palestine Action prisoners who are on hunger strike.
The first two hunger strikers began refusing food on 2nd November and the strike is now in its second month. Some of the strikers have not eaten for 39 days.
Of the seven hunger strikers currently taking part, four have been in prison for over a year without trial – which exceeds the standard pre-custody limit of six months.
I am concerned about the treatment they are facing.
This is why I am supporting calls for the Justice Secretary to meet legal representatives of the hunger strikers, to ensure they are treated humanely, and put an end to this life-threatening situation.
The Government is going down a dangerous path. A change of direction is needed to protect the right to protest and our democracy.
I voted against the proscription of Palestine Action and signed a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Government drop proposals to consider so-called ‘cumulative disruption’ when imposing conditions on protest.