Visible action is now required from Formula 1, consistent with its commitment to human rights. We call on you to suspend this year’s race in view of the alarming situation in the country…We call on you to suspend this year’s race in view of the alarming situation in the country...Journalists are under significant threat, with photojournalists covering protests facing the harshest reprisals. Police suppressing protests deliberately target photojournalists at the scene. Photojournalist Sayed Ahmed Al-Mousawi was arrested in 2014, subjected to torture, and in 2015 convicted on terrorism offences and deprived of his nationality…Human rights defenders who participated in the negotiations with Formula 1 have also faced reprisals for their peaceful human rights activities. Nabeel Rajab, president of [the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights] currently faces up to 18 years in prison on charges relating solely to freedom of expression…

Human rights abuses connected to the race are, once more, increasing in the run-up to this year’s race. In particular, the continued use of excessive force to dispel protests. Just two months ago, plain-clothed, masked state agents opened fire on protesters…striking 18-year-old Mustafa Hamdan in the back of the head and leaving him comatose. Mustafa died of his wounds on 24 March...Formula 1 cannot stand by in view of the deteriorating situation in Bahrain…