Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about Alaa Abdel Fattah, about whom I share your concern.
Through their global network, consular staff at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) endeavour to give appropriate and tailored support to British nationals overseas, and their families in the UK, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. What support the FCDO can and cannot provide to British nationals abroad, including in the event of imprisonment, is clearly set out in 'Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide', available here: Support for British nationals abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Since Mr El-Fattah's sentencing in December 2021 there have been numerous representations made by the UK Government concerning his imprisonment, welfare and lack of consular access. These include, most recently, the Prime Minister speaking about the case with President Sisi on 7 November stressing the UK Government's deep concern with the issue and for the case to be resolved as soon as possible. The Foreign Secretary raised his case with Foreign Minister Shoukry on 21 September and the former FCDO Minister for Africa raised the case with Foreign Minister Shoukry during her visit to Cairo in October. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abd El-Fattah. The Foreign Secretary spoke to his sisters, Mona and Sanaa Seif, on 2 November and the Minister for North Africa and the Middle East, met with them on 3 November.
Ministers continue to raise Alaa's case with the highest levels of the Egyptian Government as they work to secure his release. Indeed, the Prime Minister recently sent a letter to Alaa's family affirming that the activist's case is "a priority for the British government, both as a human rights defender and as a British national", in addition to having raised the issue whilst in Egypt at the COP27 summit.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
