Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

He won’t die BlueBelle it won’t come to anything near that.
It’s a publicity stunt ( and no, I don’t blame him for doing it.)

The point is that he is protesting. The point is that this is what protests are about. The point is that he is so desperate that he is on hunger strike again - did you notice the first time?

The point is that staying at home with his daughter, writing polite letters to the government, has made no difference at all. The point is that he is embarrassing the government, or he would be if they had any conscience whatsoever.

The point is not to die. The point is to rise awareness. The point is that he's tried everything else and there's nothing left.

But some people will always miss the point, I suppose.

Richard has said: “I think there’s a basic medical limit on how long you do a hunger strike for. I made a promise to Nazanin, I made a promise to my family, Mum in particular, and to the family doctors, that I won’t take it too far."

Richard has said he is not doing it in order to die but to draw attention to this desperate cause. I feel so sorry for him that reducing himself to his current wretched state and causing heartache and worry for those he loves is the only action he feels is left for him.

Ok just think about this point.

We all know it’s a publicity stunt, born I guess out of desperation, but just what about the very strong message he’s giving his little daughter?

If you don’t get what you want in life you stop eating. It’s an appalling example to set a child particularly a little girl who, in a few short years could well be influenced by images of impossibly thin young women.

He’s setting her a terrible example.

What?!?!?

That is truly bizarre, quite bizarre.

I expect the example he is setting her is that you stand up for what is right and speak truth to power.

Lost for words…..

Yes of course stand up for what is right and challenge those in authority but do it in a way which won’t send a potentially dangerous message to a small child who is very much involved in all this and must be so distressed even if she keeps it hidden.

I can’t be the only one thinking like this surely?

The point is not to die. The point is to rise awareness. The point is that he's tried everything else and there's nothing left.

The problem is that Ministers know that, although he is raising awareness, he will eat again at some point.
The Iranians probably wouldn't care anyway, he will be just another annoyance to them.

Even taking it this far, he might cause himself damage.

I think you might be JE.

I blooming hope so.

JenniferEccles

Yes of course stand up for what is right and challenge those in authority but do it in a way which won’t send a potentially dangerous message to a small child who is very much involved in all this and must be so distressed even if she keeps it hidden.

I can’t be the only one thinking like this surely?

Out of interest have you done anything to help free her? Signed a petition, contacted your MP?

It’s really a bit much to call this a publicity stunt. What a callous thing to say.

And this is not the place to counter criticisms of the Conservative government with irrelevant silly remarks about other parties. They aren’t responsible for this situation and are powerless to do anything about it.

Weren't most of us around in the sixties, and at the time Greenham Common protests were going on? Have we forgotten what protest is all about?

I expect there were many people sitting at home tutting and exclaiming that those suffragettes just needed to eat their food because the force feeding would ruin their health and they'd only have themselves to blame.

As a young woman the Greenham Common protests and what I read about the struggles and sacrifices of the suffragettes inspired me more than I can possibly say. From my background where I was told women should know their place and 'Women are only here for mens' pleasure' (yes - really!!) there were these strong, clever, fantastic women occupying their space and making their voices heard.

They were the inspiration to raise my eyes to the stars. It has lasted me a life time.

Gabriella is obviously well loved and supported by her dad and a loving extended family. I wish her all the luck and love in the world and hope she gets her mum back soon.

I fully accept that Richard must feel desperately sad at the lack of progress in the attempt to get his wife released, and I am sure not doing anything isn’t an option but I still feel very uneasy about this hunger strike.

The fact is Richard feels this is the only way he can make his protest and gain more publicity for his wife's plight. Maybe it wouldn't be the way I'd choose, but he's not interfering with anybody else and their life, and certainly won't risk his own. He loves his child and she will have explanations of what he's doing explained to her in an age appropriate way.

Interestingly this subject was raised on both HIGNIFY and the Last Leg. In both instances there was rousing applause and cheers from the audience in support of RR. His hunger strike is bringing the plight of his wife to people who may not of heard of this case (difficult to imagine I know)

Richard is finishing his hunger strike at 13.30 today, and then he is being taken straight to hospital to be checked over.

(Source RR’s Twitter account)

That poor bugger must be feeling desperate.

Who's to say that Richard has actually told his daughter he is on hunger strike? He may just have said that he is protesting, she might not know he is/was refusing food.

Please everybody, email your MP and tell you’re supporting Richard. There is a debate in Parliament on Tuesday! And share it with everyone.

Good advice MayBee70 ?

I’ve also emailed Jeremy Hunt because he has spoken out for Nazanin in the past. I really feel something is happening this time!

It’s Tulip that’s secured the debate. I should have known. Well done her!

The debate in the Lords was today. Here is Lewis Goodall's live tweeting of the debate.

twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1460276264401571850

Thanks. I was confused as to why there seemed to be a debate today and tomorrow. Regardless of whether or not the money should be repaid the fact that the PM, when he was foreign secretary gave Iran grounds to keep her in jail should be taken into account.