Context
Stella Creasy raises concerns about the health of Laila Soueif, who is on hunger strike since her son Alaa should have been released last September. The Egyptians have remained steadfast in their objections.
Question
What recent progress has he made on securing the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah? I think everybody in this Chamber, including the Foreign Secretary, is desperately worried about the health of Laila Soueif, who has felt that she has no choice but to be on hunger strike since her son Alaa should have been released last September. She is in and out of hospital, desperately ill, “dying in slow motion”, as her daughter says. I welcome the work that the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have done on this case and the commitments they have made. As the Foreign Secretary knows, the Egyptians have remained steadfast in their objections. Can he confirm that he is considering all options to secure Alaa’s release, including changing the Foreign Office travel advice for Egypt to highlight the risk of arbitrary detention, so that no other family is put through this kind of anguish?
Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)
This case and Laila’s condition concern me greatly. It has been a top priority every week that I have been in office. At every single level—Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Minister, National Security Adviser—we are engaged with the Egyptians. I believe that our strategy is working, but clearly, given Laila’s health, we must see progress at pace with the Egyptian Government.
Not addressed: Mr Lammy did not confirm whether he is considering changing travel advice to highlight the risk of arbitrary detention in Egypt.
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