Former First Ministers support for hunger strikers welcomed by Scottish Greens
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman has welcomed the support of two former First Ministers who have joined her call for justice for anti-arms trade campaigners on hunger strike. Maggie is urging other MSPs to back her calls.
Former first ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon have signed a motion lodged by Maggie to express her deep concern for the wellbeing of the hunger strikers and calls for urgent action to be taken.
The hunger strikers, arrested as part of a protest against Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems and for actions at RAF Brize Norton, have accused prison authorities of “systematic abuse”.
There have been no opportunities for bail, and no trial despite some being imprisoned for over a year. A lack of access to justice has led to protest against the conditions in the form of a hunger strike.
Elbit is one of multiple firms who have provided weapons to the Israeli government during the genocide in Gaza, which has seen tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians murdered.
Maggie said:
“I am pleased that both Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon have offered their support to my motion.
“For two former First Ministers to recognise this injustice gives me hope that other MSPs across our Parliament will do the same and join us in our calls.
“Protesting against genocide should not be a crime, and it certainly isn’t terrorism to disagree with the apartheid Israeli regime’s mass slaughter of Palestinians.
“We disagree with the proscription of Palestine Action, and believe that the inhumane handling of the activists currently imprisoned is a breach of their human rights. It is the Secretary of State for Justice’s role to ensure they each get better treatment and a fair trial immediately.
“Everyone is entitled to justice, and being imprisoned for over a year without bail offers or trial is not, by definition, justice.”
Maggie added:
“The UK Government is complicit in Israel’s war crimes. Weapons manufacturers like Elbit have directly enabled and profited from a genocide being carried out on the world stage for all to see. International law has been breached and profits put before Palestinian lives by Governments and arms dealers with no consequences.
“Labour has essentially criminalised peaceful protest, with people trying to stop further war crimes, death and destruction being charged and imprisoned. These decisions made at Westminster are leading us down a dangerous and authoritarian path.
“The Scottish Greens will not stop fighting to ensure that Scotland does not follow suit. We will keep standing up for justice, peace and freedom in Scotland and around the world."
The motion submitted to parliament
That the Parliament expresses deep concern for the wellbeing of seven prisoners who have been on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged criminal damage during Palestine Action protests; understands that six of the activists have been on hunger strike for up to or more than one month since being denied bail for their alleged involvement in raids on Israel’s largest weapons company and RAF Brize Norton; further understands that the allegations of criminal damage are outstanding, but could yet collapse depending on the outcome of a High Court judicial ruling on the appropriateness of Palestine Action being proscribed as banned under terrorism legislation; shares the concerns of medics who have warned of lack of appropriate care for people who are on hunger strike; calls on authorities to allow prisoners to exercise their human rights to freedom of expression and access to health care; and sends solidarity to the prisoners, their families and supporters.