The family of a Palestine Action prisoner on day 43 of a hunger strike says she could die in prison if the UK government does not intervene.
Teuta Hoxha, 29, has been on remand, awaiting trial for 13 months. Her sister told Sky News she suffers from continuous headaches, mobility issues, and can no longer stand for prayer.
They fear the worst.
“I know that she’s already instructed the doctors on what to do if she collapses and she’s instructed them on what to do if she passes away,” Teuta’s younger sister Rahma said. “She’s only 29 – she’s not even 30 yet and nobody should be thinking about that,” she added.
“She’s been on remand for over a year, her trial’s not until April next year and bail keeps getting denied.”
Rahma, 17, said despite ill health, Teuta calls her from prison every day to help with homework.
“She’s like my mother figure,” she said. “Our mother passed away when I was really young.
“Teuta took care of me and my siblings and made sure to read us bedtime stories. She’s always there for me and even from prison, she’s helping me do my homework and revise for exams.”
“My sister is a caring and loving person,” Rahma added. “It feels like the state has taken a piece of me.”
Teuta is among eight Palestine Action prisoners who have been on hunger strike. They are all on remand, awaiting trial for offences relating to alleged break-ins or criminal damage, with some having been in custody for over 12 months. They all deny the charges.
The hunger strikers demand an end to the UK’s hosting of weapons factories supplying arms to Israel, the de-proscription of Palestine Action, an end to mistreatment of prisoners in custody, and immediate bail.
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Their families warn young British citizens will die in UK prisons having never been convicted on an offence.
UK law sets out custody time limits to safeguard unconvicted defendants by preventing them from being held in pre-trial custody for an excessive period of time. The regulations governing these limits require the prosecution to progress cases to trial diligently and expeditiously.
The government has said it will not intervene in ongoing legal cases.
Minister of state for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending Lord Timpson said: “These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage.
“Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients.
“Ministers will not meet with them – we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.”
On Monday, Teuta is set to mark her 30th birthday behind bars. There will be no birthday cake, Rahma said.
“The only form of resistance she has is her body and that’s what she is using against the state,” she said.
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A spokesperson for HMP Peterborough declined to comment on specific individuals, but said all prisoners are managed in line with government policies and procedures.
They continued: “If any prisoner has specific complaints, we encourage them to raise them directly with the prison, as there are numerous channels available for addressing such concerns.”
