Dr. Laila Soueif: 70 Days of Hunger Strike – A Stand Against Injustice

Statement by the Revolutionary Socialists

Dr. Laila Soueif has reached the 70th day of her hunger strike, unwavering in her call for the release of her son, political prisoner Alaa Abd El-Fattah. Legally, Alaa’s release has been due since September 29, yet the authorities continue to ignore the law, holding him in unjust detention. Soueif’s courage reflects a legacy of defiance deeply rooted in the Abd El-Fattah family—a legacy that challenges the crushing weight of oppression. Her strike is a stark reminder of the pain endured by countless individuals suffering under a regime that has weaponized repression since President Sisi’s 2013 coup, marking a dark chapter of intensified state control. Alaa, a symbol of Egypt’s January Revolution, has been locked behind bars for much of the past decade.

At nearly 70, Dr. Soueif has sacrificed her health, losing over 16 kilograms during her hunger strike. Her condition is now critical, yet the government remains unmoved. Despite the clear legal grounds for Alaa’s release, the regime continues manipulating laws to serve its agenda, selectively applying or discarding them as needed. Alaa’s case is a glaring example of this arbitrary use of power—a practice that has trapped thousands of political prisoners in Egypt’s overcrowded jails.

Dr. Soueif’s strike also exposes the regime’s empty rhetoric about women’s rights. The National Council for Women, which claims to advocate for equality, refused to hear her case, ignoring her deteriorating health and her plea for justice. Under this regime, women’s rights seem to exist only in staged conferences that mask a harsh reality. From exploiting young girls in labor to imprisoning elderly women like Soueif, the hypocrisy is glaring. Lawyer Hoda Abdel Monem, for instance, has been in detention since 2018. Now 64 and in poor health, she faces new charges in an endless cycle of fabricated accusations.
Alaa’s imprisonment highlights the broader repression stifling Egypt. His latest arrest stems from a simple social media post mourning a detainee killed under torture—a post that became the basis of a fabricated case. The regime’s strategy is clear: silence dissent through fear. This isn’t limited to prominent activists like Alaa. In Matariya, Dakahlia Governorate, residents were jailed for protesting unsafe roads. Families of workers who died due to negligence, and even children, have been detained. Dr. Soueif’s deteriorating health is yet another symbol of the state’s systematic use of fear and violence to maintain control.

Still, there is hope. The Revolutionary Socialists commend the collective hunger strikes and solidarity visits to Dr. Soueif’s home. These support acts remind us that resistance persists even in the darkest times. The regime’s escalating oppression must galvanize us to fight harder for justice, no matter the toll it takes on us. Let us draw strength from Dr. Soueif’s steadfast resistance, a beacon of courage in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Freedom for Alaa Abd El-Fattah and all political prisoners.
In solidarity with Laila Soueif.