Author Archives: Tanvir Ahmad

There are moments when Parliament must intervene not because it is politically convenient, but because failure to act would be morally indefensible. This is one of those moments.

Lawyers representing several Palestine Action linked prisoners have now warned that their clients may die without urgent ministerial intervention. Some have been on hunger strike for more than 40 days. Medical collapse, loss of consciousness, and dangerous blood test results have already been reported. These are not speculative concerns. They are immediate, time sensitive risks.

The Liberal Democrats exist to hold government to account when power is exercised without humanity or scrutiny. That responsibility now falls squarely on our Parliamentary team. The government has attempted to blur this issue by framing it as a continuation of the proscription debate. It is NOT!

Whatever view one takes of Palestine Action and whatever view one takes of the government’s decision to bundle organisations into a single proscription order, none of that justifies allowing people to deteriorate to the point of death in state custody.

These individuals are on remand. They have not been convicted. The government has a non-negotiable duty of care.  Refusing to meet legal representatives while credible warnings of impending death are being made is not a neutral administrative choice. It is a failure of ministerial responsibility.

This is precisely the type of situation where the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary team must act decisively and visibly.

These actions should include:

1. Urgent parliamentary questions to the Justice Secretary on the health of the hunger strikers;
2. A formal request for an immediate ministerial meeting with lawyers and MPs representing the prisoners;
3. Written questions on medical oversight, remand decisions, and alleged interference with legal correspondence;
4. Cross-party engagement, led by Liberal Democrats, to prevent any death.

The Liberal Democrats should not wait for tragedy before acting.