London, United Kingdom — Lawyers representing imprisoned Palestine Action hunger strikers have initiated legal steps against the UK government, warning of imminent court proceedings unless senior ministers agree to urgent talks over the activists’ health and welfare.

The move comes amid growing concern for the condition of several detainees who have been refusing food for weeks while held on remand in British prisons. Campaigners and legal experts say the government’s refusal to engage risks serious consequences and raises broader questions about prisoners’ rights and due process.

Lawyers Issue Pre-Action Legal Warning

On Monday, the law firm Imran Khan & Partners, acting on behalf of the hunger-striking activists, sent a pre-claim letter to the government. The letter warned that a High Court challenge would be launched if officials failed to respond by Tuesday afternoon.

The legal action is directed at the Ministry of Justice and Justice Secretary David Lammy, who has so far declined requests for a meeting with lawyers and family representatives of the detainees.

According to the legal team, such engagement could be critical in preventing further deterioration in the protesters’ health.

Eight Activists on Rolling Hunger Strike

A total of eight activists, aged between 20 and 31, have taken part in a rolling hunger strike that began on November 2, 2025. Some detainees have now refused food for more than seven weeks, prompting alarm among families and medical professionals.

Relatives and close friends have reported repeated hospital admissions and declining physical conditions, telling journalists that the protesters are becoming increasingly vulnerable as the strike continues.

Several of the hunger strikers remain in different prisons across England, complicating efforts to monitor their welfare consistently.

Government Response and Legal Concerns

The UK government has stated that hunger strikes are not uncommon in prisons and that existing procedures are in place to provide medical care to anyone refusing food. However, lawyers for the detainees argue that the scale and duration of the protest make it exceptional.

In their letter, they described the action as the largest coordinated hunger strike in the UK since 1981, referencing the Irish republican prison protests of that era. They warned that the current strike poses a growing risk to life with each passing day.

“All eight individuals remain on remand and have not been convicted of any offence,” the lawyers said, stressing that prolonged detention without trial compounds the seriousness of the situation.

Charges and Lengthy Pre-Trial Detention

The activists are being held in five separate prisons in connection with alleged actions at sites linked to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, including a facility in Bristol and a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire.

They deny charges such as burglary and violent disorder. Despite this, all eight will have spent more than a year in custody before their cases go to trial—well beyond the UK’s typical six-month limit for pre-trial detention.

Trial dates for some defendants have reportedly been set as late as 2027, intensifying criticism from legal observers and human rights advocates.

Demands of the Hunger Strikers

The hunger strikers have outlined five key demands, including:

• Immediate bail
• The right to a fair and timely trial
• Improved prison conditions and medical care
• An end to alleged censorship of mail, phone calls, and reading material
• The de-proscription of Palestine Action

The UK government banned Palestine Action in July 2025, designating it a terrorist organisation. The group strongly rejects the designation and accuses the government of complicity in Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Human Rights Lawyers Call for Government Intervention

Prominent human rights barrister Michael Mansfield has publicly backed calls for the government to intervene, urging ministers to meet with the detainees individually.

“The government’s responsibility is to safeguard health, welfare and life,” Mansfield said, adding that prolonged remand without trial undermines the presumption of innocence and the right to due process.

In a letter to the justice secretary, Mansfield warned that fundamental legal protections were being eroded by excessive delays and political reluctance to act.

Families Raise Concerns Over Prison Conditions

Families and friends of the detainees have alleged mistreatment in custody, including verbal abuse and insufficient care during periods of medical vulnerability. The Ministry of Justice has denied these claims, stating it cannot comment on individual cases.

One of the activists’ supporters, Nida Jafri, announced plans to personally deliver letters to the Ministry of Justice urging immediate engagement. Her letter describes detainees as weak and unwell, calling the situation a breach of basic rights to health, dignity, and life.

Growing Pressure on UK Authorities

As the hunger strike enters its second month, pressure on the UK government continues to mount from lawyers, campaigners, and human rights figures. With legal proceedings now imminent, the case is shaping up to be a significant test of how the UK handles pre-trial detention, protest-related cases, and prisoners’ welfare.