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25 Mar 2021

Bahrain: Right groups call on F1 to investigate rights abuse allegations, curbs on freedoms of expression & assembly; incl. co. comments

The Bahrain International Circuit under floodlights during the 2014 Formula 1 Grand Prix.

A letter from 22 human rights groups and 57 British MPs has been sent to Formula One's chief executive, calling on the group to conduct an inquiry into allegations of human rights abuses associated with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The letter highlights that F1 should fulfil its previous public commitment to a human rights policy and that, in the ten years since the suppression of Bahrain's Arab spring protests, freedoms of expression and assembly in the country and democratic organising have been severely curtailed.

The letter follows previous calls to Lewis Hamilton to raise awareness of their concerns last year. The F1 driver has since stated that F1 should not ignore "human rights issues" in the countries where the sport operates.

As a result, F1 decided to establish an independent commission of experts to investigate human rights abuses linked to its Bahrain Grand Prix and to remedy the victims.

We fully believe that sport has always had a unique role in bringing different cultures together and crossing borders, being a force for good. We believe that shutting countries off from sport is not the right approach and engagement is far better than isolation. Where possible we monitor and audit activities in host countries that relate directly to the staging of an event and behind the scenes we have meaningful discussions with all hosts about our values and the standards that we expect.
Formula 1 spokesperson
Coming [to Bahrain] all these years I was not aware of all of the details of the human rights issues. I have spent time speaking to legal human rights experts, to human rights organisations like Amnesty. I have been to see the UK ambassador here in Bahrain and spoken to Bahraini officials also. At the moment the steps I have taken have been private and I think that is the right way to go out about it but I am definitely committed to helping in any way I can.
Lewis Hamilton, F1 driver
It is important to make clear that Formula 1 is not a cross-border investigatory organisation. We are a sports rightsholder that has the important job of promoting our sport across the world in line with the policies I have set out. Unlike governments and other bodies we are not able to undertake the actions you request, and it would not be appropriate for us to pretend we can.
Stefano Domenicali, FIFA CEO
We simply do not accept that a multimillion-pound business doesn’t have the resources or capacity to establish such an inquiry. F1 should urgently review their position.
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Bahrain Institute for Rights & Democracy
“This landmark letter from leading rights groups and unions reflects growing international concern about the role played by F1 in “sportswashing” abuses in Bahrain and the wider Arab Gulf. F1’s management need to end their complicity with Bahrain’s abuses and provide accountability for victims; the unresolved murder of Salah Abbas in 2012 and the failure to compensate Najah Yusuf must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
Husain Abdulla, Executive Director of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)