I am gravely concerned about the situation of Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja. He has entered his 78th day of hunger strike, and is currently refusing to take any liquids. His health is rapidly deteriorating and there is clearly only the shortest window remaining to find a solution. Mr Al-Khawaja was sentenced to life imprisonment last June in a trial that did not meet international standards. The verdict in his appeal had been scheduled to be announced this week but has been postponed until next Monday. This delay is unfortunate but I very much hope that next week's hearing will result in some positive developments in relation to Mr Al-Khawaja's case.
I discussed this case with Danish Foreign Minister Sovndal at the Gymnich meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen in March, and offered any assistance that the Government could provide to assist the Danish authorities in reaching an agreement with the Bahraini authorities in relation to the case of Mr Al-Khawaja, who is a dual Bahraini-Danish citizen. Officials in my Department have remained in regular contact with the Danish authorities since as well as with other concerned international partners. The case was also discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council earlier this week. I fully support the statement of HR Ashton on 17 April which urged the Bahraini authorities to find a compassionate, pragmatic and humanitarian solution as a matter of urgency.
My officials have also directly relayed my concerns to the Bahraini authorities, both to the Bahraini Ambassador in London and, through our Ambassador in Riyadh, to the Bahraini Chargé there urging positive consideration of the Danish request that Mr Al-Khawaja be released to Denmark for medical treatment. I again impress on the Bahraini authorities the need to find a pragmatic and humanitarian solution at this critical juncture.
The overall human rights situation in Bahrain continues to give rise to concern and the demonstrations arising from last weekend's holding of the Formula 1 Grand Prix again underline the urgent need for follow-up to last November's Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report. I urge the Bahraini authorities and the opposition to engage genuinely and meaningfully in Bahrain's national reconciliation process. A way must be found through dialogue to chart a new and inclusive future for Bahrain.
