Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf sign motion in solidarity with Palestine Action hunger strikers

Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have signed a Scottish Parliament motion in solidarity with hunger strikers on remand for offences related to Palestine Action.

Seven prisoners across the UK are on hunger strike after being held in prison, some for over a year, with no bail or imminent trial date.

The Prisoners for Palestine campaign group claimed on Wednesday that five of the strikers have been treated in hospital and two have not eaten for 39 days.

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has called on the Scottish Parliament to share her call for justice for the activists who have reportedly been on hunger strike while awaiting trial.

The motion says it is understood 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”.

It continues with the claim that the imprisoned activists “have not had an opportunity for bail, nor have they had a trial, despite some being imprisoned for over a year”.

Because of this, the Scottish Greens stated that the activists feel they have no other option but to protest against their conditions by undertaking a hunger strike.

Chapman’s motion, submitted on Thursday, asks MSPs to express “deep concern” for the well-being of the seven prisoners and share the reported concerns of doctors “who have warned of a lack of appropriate care for people who are on hunger strike”.

The motion also calls on authorities to allow prisoners to exercise their human rights to freedom of expression and access to healthcare, and asks the Parliament to express “its solidarity with the prisoners, their families and their supporters”.

It has been signed by 16 MSPs, including Sturgeon and Yousaf.

Current Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer and former co-leader Patrick Harvie have also signed the motion.

In total, four Scottish Green MSPs, seven SNP MSPs, and three Scottish Labour MSPs have put their name to the motion.

The UK Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.