Human rights activists are calling on King Charles III to rescind the honorary knighthood awarded to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. In a letter to Buckingham Palace, exiled Bahraini activists labeled the honor a ‘betrayal,’ citing ongoing issues of arbitrary imprisonment, torture, and unfair trials in Bahrain. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also raised concerns about the implications of such recognition amid a backdrop of political repression. King Hamad’s recent visit to the UK included ceremonial accolades, despite criticism regarding his government’s treatment of dissenters.