Manchester Activist's Deadly Thirst Strike Escalates Health Crisis
A 22-year-old hunger striker from Manchester with a rare genetic disorder has now stopped drinking fluids, placing himself at immediate risk of acute kidney failure and potential death within days. Umer Khalid, who has Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, began refusing food 16 days ago and escalated his protest to a thirst strike on January 24 after what he describes as government inaction.
Drastic Action for Government Acknowledgement
Speaking from HMP Wormwood Scrubs, where he has been held on remand since July, Khalid told Al Jazeera that "the only thing that seems to have any impact, whether that is positive or negative, is drastic action." The Manchester native faces charges related to an incident at RAF Brize Norton in June, when pro-Palestine activists allegedly damaged two military aircraft.
Medical professionals have issued stark warnings about the consequences of fluid refusal. Doctor and activist Dr Rupa Marya explained that "with no fluid intake, typically people die of acute kidney failure and other derangements within three to four days." She added that with Khalid's underlying health condition, "he is at increased risk of death even sooner."
Comprehensive Demands from Prisoners for Palestine
The campaign group Prisoners for Palestine has outlined multiple demands to the government on Khalid's behalf:
- Ending all censorship of inmates' correspondence and communications
- Immediate and unconditional bail release
- The right to fair trials with full disclosure of exchanges between Elbit Systems and the British Government
- Removing Palestine Action from the "terrorist" organisation list
- Shutting down all Elbit facilities and subsidiaries across Britain permanently
Revised demands additionally request lifting non-association orders, providing access to activities and educational courses, and transferring fellow hunger striker Heba to HMP Bronzefield. Khalid specifically demands an investigation into alleged British participation in Israeli military operations in Gaza and publication of RAF reconnaissance footage from April 1, 2024.
Medical Concerns and Previous Health Deterioration
Khalid's mother revealed that before his incarceration, he managed his rare genetic condition meticulously with a balanced diet and regular exercise. In December, deteriorating health forced him to call off a 12-day hunger strike. The organisation has recorded what they describe as serious mistreatment during his detention at Wormwood Scrubs, alleging abuse and denial of religious and welfare entitlements.
Francesca Nadin, spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine, expressed grave concerns: "The hunger strike is far from over and our comrade Umer's life is in great danger due to the abdication of responsibility of the British state at all levels." She criticised what she called "completely irresponsible and cruel disregard for the prisoners' lives" and demanded immediate state intervention.
Government Response and Partial Concessions
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson responded to the situation, stating: "Reports of fluid refusal are extremely concerning and the dangers of this are explained to prisoners by healthcare experts." They outlined that prisoners receive regular medical checks, heart monitoring, blood tests, and support to resume eating and drinking, with hospital transfers occurring when healthcare teams deem appropriate.
In a partial concession to campaign demands, the government has opted against awarding a £2 billion defence contract to Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of Israel's largest arms manufacturer. The contract would have involved training 60,000 British soldiers annually. Meanwhile, Commons leader Lucy Powell pledged to discuss with David Lammy the possible prison transfer of another hunger striker following intervention from Brent North MP Barry Gardiner.
Khalid's trial is scheduled for January 2027, meaning he will have spent 18 months in prison by that point. Prisoners for Palestine has contacted the Home Secretary, requesting government meetings with Khalid's representatives to bring the hunger strike to a safe conclusion before his health deteriorates beyond recovery.
