Authorities block family and legal access to Umer Khalid following hospitalisation

CAGE expresses serious concern over the continued refusal by authorities to provide any contact or information regarding Umer Khalid following his hospitalisation on 26 January, after ending a 17-day hunger strike and 3-day thirst strike.

Since his admission to hospital, Umer’s family and legal representatives have received no communication, nor have they been permitted to speak with or access him. Despite repeated attempts, authorities have failed to confirm his condition, location, or care arrangements.

Umer Khalid is legally entitled to confidential access to his lawyers. The ongoing denial of this right raises grave legal concerns and constitutes a serious breach of procedural safeguards, particularly given his known medical vulnerabilities.

Umer lives with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that significantly heightens the risks associated with starvation, hospitalisation, and refeeding. During his hunger strike, he was hospitalised while suffering multiple organ failure. The current information blackout comes at a moment when medical transparency and continuity of care are critical.

The refusal to provide updates has placed immense psychological strain on Umer’s family, who remain in the dark about his wellbeing while being denied even basic reassurance that he is safe.

Umer Khalid’s mother, Shabana, said:

“For 12 days, our family has been trapped in a nightmare of silence as we are being denied direct contact.

We do not know where he is or if he will recover. To be kept from him is a slow, heart wrenching torture.

In Islam, we are taught the sanctity of Silat al Rahim, family ties and the right of the family to support one another in times of illness. The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said The relationship of the believer to another believer is like a building, each part strengthening the other.

We are his strength, and he is ours. We demand the right to see Umer immediately to ensure his safety and provide the presence he desperately needs. We place our trust in Allah, the Most Merciful, but we insist on the basic human right to be with our son, brother and grandson.”