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Article

27 Apr 2012

Author:
Michael Casey, Associated Press

Hosting of Bahrain GP backfires on Formula One

An incident free Bahrain Grand Prix was just what the country's rulers and Formula One had wanted. But they paid a heavy price for holding the race. Fans are as likely to remember the huge demonstrations against the government as much as they are Sebastian Vettel's...victory...Amnesty International...said [:] "It is one thing to hold an event,"..."It is another thing entirely to actively pretend that the host government has committed no human rights violations, when facts on the ground reveal otherwise."...Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone...declared Bahrain safe to race despite ongoing clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters that have left at least 50 dead...The teams and drivers dutifully agreed to take part, taking the official line that they were only there to race. Sponsors and investors, too, followed suit..."As you saw, there was a very negative reaction to the glib responses from Formula One and the drivers in terms of the human right concerns," said Christopher L. Avery...director...Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. "When future races come along in Bahrain and if the human rights situation is not improved, the controversy will certainly happen all over again. I predict it will even be rougher ride for Formula One."...It remains to be seen whether all the trouble in Bahrain will force Formula One to take human rights more seriously. [refers to Mumtalakat, McLaren, Ferrari]