Healthcare and Charity Workers Open Letter in Support of Hunger Strikers
Along with over 170 healthcare workers and other organisations and groups in the sector, we have written a statement in response to the treatment of Palestine activists in prisons. It comes as 6 of them have been on hunger strike over the last few months – with 2 now near to death – in protest of their conditions.
As healthcare and charity workers we have been appalled at how protocols of mandatory care in prison and during hospitalisation are not being followed for these young people. This includes horrific reports of individuals being handcuffed, and even double handcuffed, when transported to hospitals during emergency check-ups – in direct contravention to British Medical Association (BMA) guidance on restraints in custodial settings which calls for respect for patient dignity and privacy, and a presumption that prisoners are examined and treated without restraints.
Healthcare colleagues are being asked to treat patients under conditions contrary to, and risking the reputation of their profession.
Unequal treatment
Maslaha has shown through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that Muslims and other racialised groups in prison are discriminated against based on their identity. The Ministry of Justices’ (MOJ) own data tells us that these communities are more likely to have force used against them in the form of PAVA spray or rigid-bar handcuffs.
FOI data also shows that there is insufficient oversight of disparities in treatment and inadequate levels of scrutiny on these different forms of state-sanctioned violence in prisons. Rarely is disproportionality identified by use of force oversight committees, and where it is, it is not considered an issue.
It is in the context of these alarming trends, that we understand the hunger strikers – several of whom identify as Muslim - are not being treated equally in the prison system and contrary to mandatory HMPPS and NHS guidelines. Statements by ministers in Parliament that all protocols are being followed are incorrect.
Denial of basic rights
We believe that this treatment is an abuse of fundamental human rights and of prison guidelines. Basic requirements are not being met and since being held in remand they have faced repeated denial of rights – including communications, association, and access to religious practice.
This contravention of rights is happening across multiple prisons with different prisoners, and demands considered attention from government ministers as to why protocols are not being adhered to.
Our demands
We are asking the Government and prison service to address the following concerns:
The hunger strikers be treated in accordance with mandatory requirements as stated in Prison Service Orders including 4600
If restrictions are imposed there should be communication with individuals and their families as to the reasons why and the basis for this.
Explanations given as to why hunger strikers have been handcuffed during treatment in hospitals, contrary to BMA guidelines, and this to be ceased in case of any future visits