Alarm bells in UAE

First, Egypt. Now, the United Arab Emirates.

It is cause for grave concern that authorities in the UAE have demanded the closure of Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) in Abu Dhabi. A year after the beginning of the Arab Spring, it seems that Germany's efforts to help build democracy in the Arab World are no longer wanted - at least, not in countries where the authorities are curbing external influence, which they believe might threaten their hold on power.

In Egypt, it was a government controlled by the military that accused foreign foundations and NGOs of unlawful interference. Some local staff even faced on trial. It was only after intervention at the highest diplomatic levels that these employees were allowed to leave the country. The trials against them, however, are expected to continue.

The latest developments in Abu Dhabi were unexpectedly.

The KAS opened its offices in 2009 - the foundation had been explicitly invited by the government. Germany and the UAE had agreed a strategic partnership, which now is under question. The basis for any such partnership has to be trust. But shutting down the offices of the KAS is a clear sign that that trust has evaporated.

Revolution and repression

The UAE supported the revolution in Libya and have expressed sympathy for the protests against Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad. In the search for a solution to the Syrian crisis, the UAE has been a key player and one of the West's most prized partners. Economically, the UAE has also grown more and more important for Germany.

But this is only one side of the situation.

Domestically, the government in Abu Dhabi is repressive. Human rights organizations claim that bloggers, who are critical of the government, and civil rights activists calling for more democracy, are being suppressed or even persecuted. The closure of the KAS seems to be another step on the same road.

The work of the foundation was deemed to be of a subversive character.

Politically, the foundation supports civil rights dialogue, democracy and pluralism. Religiously, the foundation is close to Germany's Christian Democratic Party and has religious, Christian background.

Fear of subversion

But it's absurd to accuse political foundations of preaching subversive ideas or spreading religious ideologies. All German foundations around the world base their work on a concept of dialogue.

This means that any work towards democratization only takes place where there is already an interest in democratic change.

Active subversion in a country is something different.

In fact, the move against the KAS suggests the opposite - the Arab Spring seems to be making the UAE's leaders nervous. It is the only explanation.

Even in economically prosperous countries like the UAE, civil rights activists and especially young people are calling for more individual freedom. Material prosperity and freedom are not mutually exclusive. It is this that is dawning on the Gulf rulers.

A setback for intercultural dialogue

The contact and engagement with Europe and Germany, which political foundations like the KAS offer, is an offer to the Arab World. So if these foundations are kicked out of countries, it means that country is rejecting the offer of intercultural dialogue. It undermines civil rights and restricts its own population - and it's a path that will isolate the country internationally.

What has happened in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are alarming developments that indicate a reactionary course. This cannot be without consequence for the relationship between Germany and those two countries. Other political foundations will have to reassess their activities in the Arab World. Wherever democracy, religious freedom, and equal rights for women are met with resistance, they will be in for difficult times.

Despite the economic cooperation, Germany may have to do a better job of explaining its advocacy for democracy and human rights in future to avoid being misunderstood as subversive. But even if it does, transparency and dialogue will continue to face opposition where isolationist governments are worried about their own political survival.

Author: Daniel Scheschkewitz / ai
Editor: Zulfikar Abbany