A growing number of political prisoners in Egypt have started hunger strikes in protest at lengthy jail terms, long periods of pre-trial detention, and ill-treatment in prison. On this page we will collect resources and information for activists mobilising solidarity with the hunger strike.

Download powerpoint presentations with a full list of hunger strikers both inside and outside prison (correct on 6 September 2014) [inside prison] and [outside prison]

Ahmed Maher

One of the founders of the 6^th April Youth Movement which was born out of the mobilisation for a general strike in solidarity with workers in Mahalla in 2008. He was charged with breaking the repressive anti-protest laws in December 2013 and sentenced to three years in jail.

Began hunger strike 20 August 2014.

Ahmed Douma

A well-known activist who was imprisoned by Mubarak before the revolution, and jailed under every government since 2011. He was most recently charged with breaking the anti-protest laws in December 2013 and sentenced to 3 years in jail.

Began hunger strike 20 August 2014.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah [Solidarity campaign page on Facebook]

A blogger and activist who was jailed by Mubarak, Morsi and under both periods of military rule. Alaa was recently sentenced to 15 years in jail for taking part in protests in defiance of the anti-protest laws and against military trials for civilians.

Began hunger strike 18 August 2014.

Ibrahim al-Yamani

A doctor who was arrested in August 2013, Ibrahim al-Yamani is taking part in his second long-running hunger strike.

Began hunger strike 1 September 2013

Hind and Rasha Mounir

Sisters Hind and Rasha Mounir were arrested 16 August 2013 after taking part in a protest condemning the massacre of at least 1000 people by the Egyptian military and police at Rabaa al-Adawiyya Square. Sentenced to 25 years in jail after nearly a year in prison.

Began hunger strike 8 August 2014

Mahienour el-Masry [Solidarity campaign page on Facebook]

Revolutionary Socialist activist and labour lawyer from Alexandria. Mahienour was sentenced to 2 years in jail in May 2014 for breaking the anti-protest law. Her sentence was later reduced to 6 months on appeal, but she faces other charges in a new trial later this year.

Began hunger strike 24 August 2014

Update 26 August: Mahienour ended her hunger out of consideration for the health if her cell mates who joined the strike in solidarity with her, as they are mainly older women. 

Mohamed Abdel Rahman

Sentenced to 15 years in absentia for breaking the anti-protest laws alongside Alaa Abdel-Fattah.

Began hunger strike 20 August 2014

Mohamed Adel

A founder of the 6^th April Youth Movement. Sentenced to 3 years in jail in December 2013 for breaking the anti-protest law.

Began hunger strike 20 August 2014

Mohamed Soltan [Solidarity campaign on Facebook]

Arrested in the wake of the massacre at Rabaa al-Adawiyya Square in August 2013 and held without trial for more than a year.

Began hunger strike January 2014

Sanaa Seif

Arrested on 21 June during a demonstration against the protest law and detained after her trial was adjourned until 13 September. Sanaa is an activist and campaigner for prisoners’ rights. Her brother Alaa Abdel Fattah is also on hunger strike and has been jailed for 15 years.

Began hunger strike 29 August 2014

Wael Metwally

Sentenced to 15 years in absentia for breaking the anti-protest laws alongside Alaa Abdel-Fattah.

Began hunger strike 20 August 2014

What you can do:

• Spread the word about the hunger strikes and protests in solidarity with Egyptian political prisoners
• Send messages of protest to the Egyptian authorities via the Egyptian embassy in your country. If you are in the UK use the following contact details: Ambassador Ashraf Elkholy, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 26 South Street , London W1K 1DW. Telephone Number. : (+4420) 74993304. Email: eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg
• Organise a protest or solidarity vigil calling for the release of political prisoners

• Pass a resolution in your trade union branch condemning repression in Egypt