Palestine Action hunger strikers ‘blocked’ from contact with families:

Family members of Palestine Action hunger strikers jailed in the UK say they have been prevented from speaking to their relatives despite concerns over their health and wellbeing.

On 2 November, a group of prisoners, who were arrested due to their affiliation or alleged offences with the now proscribed Palestine Action direct action group, launched a hunger strike to protest the conditions they were kept in as well as the group’s designation by the UK government.

A family member of Kamran Ahmed, who was imprisoned due to links to the group, has raised concerns over his health after he was hospitalised.

The family have told reporters that the prison has blocked the hospital from providing medical updates on Ahmed’s condition to the family and solicitors, directing them to go through the hospital’s legal team instead.

This is not the first time the family have said they have lost contact with Ahmed, noting that on 25 November when he was first hospitalised, several calls and emails from the family asking for updates went unanswered.

According to reports, five hunger strikers have been hospitalised so far, with the Prisoners for Palestine group stating the individuals’ next of kin were not notified.

Earlier this week, lawyers for eight of the hunger-striking prisoners demanded an urgent meeting with ministers.

The lawyers told the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy that there was a real "likely and potential" risk that their clients would die in prison.

A ministry of justice spokesperson responded, stating: "The deputy prime minister has responded to and will continue to respond to correspondence on this issue, and is being kept informed of the situation."

The spokesperson added: "We continually assess prisoners' wellbeing and will always take the appropriate action, including taking prisoners to hospital if they are assessed as needing treatment by a medical professional."

The protesters say they have been denied bail and a fair trial, while the lawyers state they are considering legal action over human rights breaches.

"We are concerned that, should this situation be allowed to continue without resolution, there is the real and increasingly likely potential that young British citizens will die in prison, having never even been convicted of an offence," the legal team wrote, addressing ministers.

On Friday, several pro-Palestine activists covered the Ministry of Justice building in central London with red paint, in solidarity with the hunger strikers.

Two protesters were immediately arrested, while activists said the red paint was to symbolise blood and noted the hunger strikers are set to be held for over a year before standing trial.

"We have brought the matter to [the justice secretary] David Lammy because he continues to ignore the friends and family, the lawyers of the hunger strikers. He ignores the fact that their lives are at imminent danger," one of the demonstrators said in a video posted on social media.

Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn has called Lammy’s refusal to meet "outrageous".

A ministry of justice spokesperson said: "Vandalising public property is totally unacceptable and puts unnecessary costs on the police and British taxpayers," in response to if Lammy’s position was still to refuse a meeting.