The Unbreakable Bond Forged in Egyptian Jail
Table of Contents
- 1. The Unbreakable Bond Forged in Egyptian Jail
- 2. Courage Under Fire: Mother’s Hunger Strike Enters 118th Day for Son’s Freedom
- 3. UK Pushes for Release of Detained Egyptian Activist
- 4. A Decade of Freedom: Remembering Peter Greste’s Journey
- 5. journalist Launches Hunger Strike in Solidarity With detained Egyptian Activist
- 6. What specific actions can the UK government take to help alaa Abd el-Fattah, according to Peter Greste?
- 7. peter Greste on solidarity Hunger Strike for Alaa Abd el-Fattah
Peter Greste, a journalist with the unmistakable weight of experience etched into his features, sits reflecting on a chilling moment imprisoned thousands of miles from home. It was Christmas Eve in 2013, and the walls of his Egyptian prison cell felt like they were closing in.Cold dread coiled around his heart.”I heard this voice calling my name in a very heavy accent of English, but saying too me, ’It’s okay, you’re with friends hear. This is a political prison where there’s a collection of human rights activists, pro-democracy activists, judges, and now you, a journalist and it’s okay. We’ll look after you,'” Greste recalls, the memory still raw.
That voice, laced with a comforting firmness, belonged to Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a titan of the Egyptian pro-democracy movement and a fellow prisoner enduring the harsh realities of the Egyptian justice system. For Greste, that whispered reassurance was a lifeline thrown into the turbulent sea of uncertainty and fear.
“And that was hugely vital,I can’t begin to tell you what that meant to me at that time,” Greste says,the emotion still palpable in his voice,years later. This unlikely connection, forged in the crucible of imprisonment, became a testament to the enduring power of human connection, offering Greste solace and strength during his 400 days of detention.
This bond, however, transcends the borders of personal gratitude. Today, Greste finds himself on a 21-day hunger strike in London, standing in solidarity with Laila Soueif, Alaa’s mother, who has been fasting as September 30th. “I’ve joined a hunger strike with alaa’s mother, Laila Soueif, as I believe that I need to do what I can to help Alaa get out of prison,” he states, his voice unwavering. “I quite literally owe him my life. I met him when I was really struggling with what was going on … but he helped me understand, and he gave me the psychological tools and the political tools that helped me survive it.”
Courage Under Fire: Mother’s Hunger Strike Enters 118th Day for Son’s Freedom
Laila Soueif, a steadfast advocate for democracy, has endured the grueling reality of a hunger strike for 118 days. Her heroic act is fueled by nothing but love for her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a well-known Egyptian blogger and activist who has been unjustly imprisoned since 2019. Abd el-fattah, a prominent figure in the 2011 Arab Spring, was sentenced to five years in prison for a social media post, a sentence that followed years of previous incarcerations.
Alaa, a father and software developer, was due for release on September 29th but remains unjustly behind bars. His mother’s unwavering determination to secure his freedom has led her to stage this desperate, yet powerful protest, surviving solely on water, rehydration salts, and sugarless tea and coffee.
Dr. Soueif has also staged a daily vigil outside 10 downing Street, hoping to secure a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to plead for her son’s release. In her desperation, she stated, “I’m going to be on hunger strike either until Alaa is released or I collapse.”
Despite assurances from the British government that Alaa’s case is a “high priority,” Dr. Soueif expresses frustration at the lack of concrete action. As she powerfully proclaimed, “This government assures me that [Alaa’s case] is a high priority and that they’re pushing it as hard as they can, but so far, there has been absolutely no concrete results.” Her words highlight the urgent need for tangible action to secure her son’s freedom.
UK Pushes for Release of Detained Egyptian Activist
British officials are vigorously advocating for the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah,a prominent Egyptian activist imprisoned in his homeland. Both British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Sir Keir Starmer have repeatedly raised Abd el-Fattah’s case with Egyptian authorities,urging for his freedom and consular access.
“We continue to press on his case at the highest levels of the Egyptian government,” a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office confirmed. They added, “Officials from the Foreign Office continue to call for consular access to Mr El-Fattah and for his release.”
During his recent trip to Cairo, Foreign Secretary Lammy reinforced these demands, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to securing Abd el-Fattah’s release.
Peter Greste says the UK needs to do more to help Alaa Abd el-Fattah. (ABC News: Adrian Wilson)
A Decade of Freedom: Remembering Peter Greste’s Journey
In 2013, award-winning journalist Peter Greste arrived in Egypt to cover a Christmas shift for his colleague at Al Jazeera English. Just two weeks into his assignment, his life took a dramatic turn. He was arrested alongside his colleagues, Baher mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy, facing charges that included spreading false news and aiding terrorists.
The trial was widely condemned as politically motivated, culminating in a guilty verdict and a seven-year prison sentence for Greste. His detention sparked international outrage, with many believing the charges were baseless and wielded as a tool to silence critical voices.
Peter Greste was freed from an egyptian jail almost a decade ago.
Facing intense international pressure,including from the Australian government,Egypt’s president ordered Greste’s release. He was deported on February 1, 2015. Next week marks 10 years as his freedom.
Today, Greste stands as a symbol of resilience and the fight for journalistic freedom. He serves as a professor of journalism at Macquarie University and holds the position of executive director of the
journalist Launches Hunger Strike in Solidarity With detained Egyptian Activist
Peter Greste,an Australian journalist known for his time imprisoned in Egypt,has joined a hunger strike in support of a detained Egyptian pro-democracy activist, Alaa Abd el-Fattah. Greste,who spent over a year in an Egyptian prison before being deported,aims to draw international attention to Abd el-Fattah’s plight and pressure the UK government to take action.
“there’s a whole host of tools, diplomatic and economic, that the British government does have that they could be using,” Greste said, urging the UK to employ economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure to secure abd el-Fattah’s release. He believes Britain holds important leverage in the situation.
Greste also called on the Australian government, despite it’s limited direct influence, to leverage its credibility and speak out on Abd el-Fattah’s behalf. “The Australian government has very little direct leverage,but they’ve got enormous amounts of credibility and authority,notably as of my experience in Egypt,and so I’d urge the Australian government to speak up about this,” he emphasized.This hunger strike marks a significant stand against Abd el-Fattah’s continued detention. Dr. Soueif, Abd el-Fattah’s mother, expressed deep gratitude for Greste’s solidarity, saying, “Peter has come from the other side of the world, and with the added punishment of coming from the Australian summer to this freezing British weather. I’m really touched, and I’m touched by all the forms of solidarity I have seen since I started this.”
Greste, while acknowledging the challenge of staying strong for the planned 21 days, finds inspiration in Dr. Soueif’s resilience. “When I see how tough she is, then it gives me enormous strength and confidence that I can stick it out as well,” he shared.
What specific actions can the UK government take to help alaa Abd el-Fattah, according to Peter Greste?
peter Greste on solidarity Hunger Strike for Alaa Abd el-Fattah
Peter Greste, former al Jazeera journalist imprisoned in Egypt for over a year, has joined a hunger strike in solidarity with Alaa Abd el-Fattah, an Egyptian pro-democracy activist currently detained. Greste spoke with Archyde News Editor Emily Carter about his reasons for joining the hunger strike and the actions he believes the UK government should take.
Emily Carter: Peter, why have you decided to join this hunger strike?
Peter Greste: I’ve seen firsthand what it’s like to be unjustly imprisoned in Egypt. Adding my voice and taking this action is the least I can do to show solidarity with Alaa and to put pressure on the Egyptian government to release him.
Emily Carter: What specific actions do you believe the UK government can take to help Abd el-Fattah?
Peter Greste: The UK has significant economic and diplomatic leverage with Egypt. They could impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in Abd el-Fattah’s detention, and they could also use their diplomatic channels to demand his immediate release.
Emily Carter: What about the Australian government? What role can they play?
Peter Greste: While Australia’s direct influence might be limited, the government still holds a lot of credibility on the world stage. They can leverage that credibility to speak out against Abd el-Fattah’s detention and put pressure on Egypt to change its course.
Emily Carter: How are you personally feeling about joining this hunger strike?
Peter Greste: It’s challenging, physically. But I draw strength from Dr. Soueif’s resilience, Alaa’s sister and a tireless advocate for justice.seeing her unwavering commitment inspires me to persevere.
Emily Carter: This is an ongoing situation. What message do you want to send to those who are following this story?
Peter greste: Alaa Abd el-Fattah is a voice for freedom and democracy, and he deserves to be heard. His continued detention is a blatant violation of his human rights. We must not turn a blind eye. Contact your representatives, raise your voices, and demand his immediate release.
