UN experts respond to Labour's treatment of hunger strikers

Last week, a collective of UN human rights experts called on Keir Starmer to stop treating the lives and rights of pro-Palestinian political prisoners with contempt. The activists, part of the Filton 24 group, are in the advanced stages of a hunger strike in protest against Starmer’s collaboration in Israel’s genocide in Gaza and their political imprisonment without trial.

In a statement on Boxing Day, the UN’s human rights office (OHCHR) highlighted the UK government’s harsh treatment of the hunger-strikers. The OHCHR also made clear that Starmer and his ministers are legally responsible for their wellbeing:

GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern for the lives and fundamental rights of eight pro-Palestinian activists imprisoned in the United Kingdom, who have been on indefinite hunger strike since 2 November.

“Hunger strike is often a measure of last resort by people who believe that their rights to protest and effective remedy have been exhausted,” the experts said.

As they enter the second month of their strike, the health of the pro-Palestinian detainees has reportedly deteriorated significantly, placing them at critical risk of serious complications, including organ failure, irreversible neurological damage, cardiac arrhythmias and death.

“The State’s duty of care toward hunger strikers is heightened, not diminished,” the experts said. “Authorities must ensure timely access to emergency and hospital care when clinically indicated, refrain from actions that may amount to pressure or retaliation, and respect medical ethics.”

The expert recalled that respect for the right to health is applicable to everyone, including persons deprived of their liberty. They stressed that States must respect individual autonomy, ensure continuous, independent medical monitoring, provide accurate information about health risks, and take all necessary steps to protect life and prevent irreversible harm, without resorting to coercive or punitive measures.

They also expressed concerns regarding the treatment of the hunger strikers, including reported delays in accessing medical care, use of excessive restraint during hospital treatment, denial of contact with family members and legal counsel, and lack of consistent independent medical oversight, particularly for detainees with serious pre-existing health conditions.

“These reports raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, including obligations to protect life and prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” the experts said.

They have previously raised concerns with the UK Government regarding the application of counter-terrorism and security frameworks to acts of political protest that are not genuinely terrorist according to international standards, and warned against the criminalisation of conduct that falls within the protected exercise of the rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression, and the suppression of legitimate political dissent, including advocacy related to Palestine.

The experts have also expressed serious concern as to the overbreadth of the definition of terrorism under UK law, the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, and the subsequent mass arrests and criminal charges, including terrorism-related offenses, brought against individuals for alleged support for Palestine Action.

“These hunger strikes must be understood within the broader context of restrictions on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK,” the experts said, noting that the detainees are held in connection with protest-related activity.

They urged the United Kingdom to immediately guarantee appropriate healthcare for all hunger strikers, and engage in meaningful dialogue and action to address not only the claims of the protestors, but also underlying rights violations, and an end to the repression of Palestine activism.

“Preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable. The State bears full responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of those it detains,” the experts said. “Urgent action is required now.”

The experts stand ready to engage constructively with the UK Government and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The expert signatories include the fearless Special Rapporteur for occupied Palestine, Francesca Albanese, among others:

The political imprisonment of the Filton 24 is part of the Starmer regime’s war on UK rights and freedoms. Starmer has criminalised free speech, journalism and activism against the Gaza genocide, to protect Israel and its interests. His state machine has been exposed collaborating with Israel in its persecution of humanitarian activists.

Eight members of the Filton group are also taking legal action against Starmer and his government, while UK media look the other way, deliberately overlooking the ongoing strike since it began.

Featured image via Derry Footage