In a world where heroes are increasingly rare, Bangladeshi journalist Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury stands out as a model of courage and determination.

For the past nine months this brave man has been rotting in the bowels of a Bangladeshi prison, a victim of government repression and mounting Islamist extremism.

His crime? Planning to attend a writers' symposium in Israel last December, where he was going to deliver a speech calling for greater Jewish-Muslim understanding.

Choudhury was picked up by police on November 29, 2003, as he prepared to board a flight at the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. He has remained a political prisoner ever since.

The authorities in the mostly Muslim nation have charged Choudhury with the serious crime of "sedition." Apparently, they view dialogue between the followers of Moses and those of Muhammad as a threat on a par with treason.

Choudhury's detention has been condemned by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists and by Reporters Sans Frontieres. The New York Times devoted an editorial to it, criticizing Choudhury's "mistreatment" by Bangladeshi authorities and noting that the charges against him are "a baseless sham" (December 14, 2003).

Nevertheless, Choudhury remains in limbo, as Bangladesh callously tramples upon his human rights.

Just two weeks ago the country's High Court rejected his request to be released on bail, asserting that the case was still "under investigation," in effect giving a green light to authorities to hold him for as long as they wish.

The special cruelty to which Choudhury is being subjected was exemplified recently when his mother passed away from a heart attack, unable to bear the stress of her son's imprisonment. Despite appeals from his family, Choudhury's request to attend the funeral was denied.

In recent years Choudhury has been no stranger to suffering for his beliefs. As editor of the English-language news magazine Blitz, he did not hesitate to publish articles favorable to Israel. He was subsequently blacklisted and fired from his post at a television station, but he refused to back down.

Choudhury's scheduled trip to Israel would have made him the first Bangladeshi journalist to speak out publicly in the Jewish state. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations, as Bangladesh refuses to recognize Israel or its existence.

The government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has chosen to make Choudhury a "Prisoner of Zion" – hoping that the world will forget this precious man as it seeks to bury him and his inalienable human rights.

That cannot be allowed to happen. It is essential that a cry go out, loud and clear, to free Choudhury at once. Pressure must be brought to bear on the Bangladeshi government to cease its persecution of this intrepid and daring journalist.

This is far more than just a simple case regarding freedom of the press. At a time when Islamist extremism is spreading we cannot allow the voices of moderates such as Choudhury to be silenced by the forces of fanaticism.

This, of course, should be obvious to everyone. Everyone, that is, except for the US State Department, which has done little of any consequence on Choudhury's behalf.

Instead, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K. Thomas, Jr., prefers to pander to his hosts rather than confront them on their dreadful abuses of human rights.

Take, for example, a statement he released to coincide with America's Independence Day on July 4. In it, Thomas wrote: "The people of both Bangladesh and the United States are connected by many fundamental beliefs: a belief in the rights of the individual, a faith in the rights of free speech, freedom of religion and free press, and a dedication to the fundamental principles of democracy."

"America," he concluded, "proudly stands with Bangladesh in a mutual dedication to the ideals of freedom and liberty."

The next time Thomas decides to pen such sycophantic nonsense he might first wish to consult his own department's annual report on human rights, which earlier this year concluded that in Bangladesh "The Government's human rights record remained poor, and it continued to commit numerous serious abuses."

"Attacks on journalists," noted the February 2004 report, "and efforts to intimidate them by government officials, political party activists, and others increased. The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press; however, the Government did not respect these rights in practice."

The fact is that Bangladesh is a scary place for journalists who defy the regime, particularly those such as Choudhury who are looking to promote better ties with Israel and the West.

But all is not lost. Bangladesh is reliant on foreign aid, which provides some 40% of government revenues and 50% of the country's foreign exchange. Every year, Dhaka receives between $75 million to $100 million in US assistance, giving Washington both the means and the ability to bring about change.

With that in mind, here is what you can do to help free Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury:

First, write a letter to your elected representatives, and urge them to get involved in seeking Choudhury's release. America should link further US aid to Bangladesh with an improvement in the government's record on human rights.

Second, drop a line to Ambassador Thomas in Dhaka at dhaka@pd.state.gov and let him know how you feel about the Choudhury case as well as the need for US pressure to resolve it.

Finally, check out www.freechoudhury.com, a Web site maintained by US human rights activist Dr. Richard Benkin, who is leading the international effort to raise awareness about Choudhury's plight and win his release. Educate yourself and your friends about this matter, and help to spread the word.

In a recent letter smuggled out of his jail cell in Dhaka's central prison, Choudhury wrote, "I feel that I am absolutely deprived of human rights in my own country. I would request you all to please raise your voice in your respective countries and also please convey this message to our friends who support our cause."

The least we can do is heed this courageous man's call, and reach out to help him before it is too late.