The ruler of the small Kingdom of Bahrain, King Hamad Al-Khalifa would like to be seen as a moderate leader, who in a state of enlightened absolutism is navigating his country’s course through the Arab spring.

At the same time, he is attempting to play a constructive role in other countries where the situation is acute, currently in Syria.

The problem is, that what is supposed to resemble a moderate and compromise-seeking policy conceals oppression and police methods that unfortunately too clearly resemble that of other countries in the region in which dictators are attempting to cling on to power by terrorising their civilian populations into submission.

In Bahrain, as elsewhere, the brutality only serves to nourish rebellion and demands for a change in regime.

Last year, the Bahraini government set up an official commission of inquiry to clarify the circumstances surrounding the initial rebellion last spring.

The commission reported in November, repudiating the regime’s allegations that Iran was behind the insurgence, recommending the release of political prisoners and that torturers be held accountable.

This has not happened and one of the country’s most prominent dissidents, the Danish-Bahraini national Abdulhadi Khawadja, after a long period of abuse and a hunger strike, is in a critical condition.

Khawaja has appealed to the Danish government. He expresses his gratitude for the support he has already received, and at the same time asks for more to be done both for himself and other political prisoners. It is clear that the government should honour this request, both as EU President and in bilateral relations.

In the current situation, Denmark has a singular responsibility to ensure that the Bahraini regime fully realises that it has complete responsibility for Khawadja’s health and life as long as he is held in captivity.

The international community and Europe will not silently accept Khawadja or his family suffering further harm.

It is not easy to silence a dissident of Khawadja’s calibre. Nor should that be a goal.

Quite to the contrary. It is with Khawadja and those like him that the regime must negotiate a reform process to lead the small country towards democracy and ensure basic human rights.

There is only one way forward if King Al-Khalifa wants to appear to be a moderate: Release Khawadja and the other political prisoners before it is too late.

bl

FACEBOOK – Follow Politiken’s News in English