Independent journalism at Truthout faces unprecedented authoritarian censorship. If you value progressive media, please make a year-end donation today.

Alarm is growing over the treatment and deteriorating health of eight pro-Palestinian activists jailed in the United Kingdom who are on hunger strike to protest their detention. The activists remain imprisoned as they await trial over charges linked to their work with Palestine Action, which the British government has banned under its Terrorism Act over direct action protests against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Several of the activists who began their hunger strike in early November are now in “a critical stage” and facing grave health risks or death, according to Dr. James Smith, a doctor supporting the hunger strikers. “This is an extremely critical moment, and, frankly speaking, it defies comprehension that members of the government have refused even to meet with the hunger strikers in an attempt to resolve this situation.”

We also speak with Francesca Nadin, a spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine, which is supporting the jailed activists. She says the harsh treatment of the hunger strikers is part of a “coordinated witch hunt that reflects the wider repression of the pro-Palestine movement” in the U.K. and around the world. “The people that have taken part in this hunger strike feel like they have no other choice left to them but to take this into their own hands,” Nadin says.

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman.

U.N. experts are raising grave concern over the treatment and fragile health of a group of Palestine Action political prisoners who have been on hunger strike protesting their detention in Britain. The eight activists remain jailed as they await trial over charges related to their work with Palestine Action, which was banned by the British government under its Terrorism Act.

The U.N. experts, including Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for Palestinian territories, said in a statement the hunger strikers are at risk of organ failure and death. They wrote, quote, “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,” unquote.

Several of the activists began their hunger strike in early November.

On Sunday, Democracy Now! spoke to James Smith, Dr. James Smith, a medical doctor supporting the hunger strikers, who has volunteered in Gaza during Israel’s assault.

DR. JAMES SMITH: Three of the four who have continued with their hunger strike have now been on hunger strike for more than 50 days. They are well into a critical stage, wherein they may experience sudden or very rapid decline in their physical health and are at increasing risk of death, and that risk increases with every passing day. As a healthcare worker who’s been supporting the hunger strikers, who’s in regular contact with their next of kin, this is an extremely critical moment, and, frankly speaking, it defies comprehension that members of the government have refused even to meet with the hunger strikers in an attempt to resolve this situation. …

As a healthcare worker and someone who has worked in Gaza during the course of the genocide, I’m, of course, invested in their demands, all of their demands, but I’m particularly concerned about their access to comprehensive and quality healthcare as the hunger strike progresses, and the extent to which the state and its various appendages respect and uphold their right to healthcare and their right to dignity. The situation now is beyond critical.........

© Truthout