FEBRUARY 13, 2012

Pressure on Bahrain increases

Tomorrow sees the first anniversary of the Shia uprising in Bahrain that resulted in a number of deaths and almost 3000 arrests.

Tomorrow sees the first anniversary of the Shia uprising in Bahrain that resulted in a number of deaths and almost 3000 arrests.

The opening round of last year's F1 world championship fell victim to the internal strife and pressure is building on the FIA to cancel this year's race, round 4 of the 2012 championship, scheduled for April 22.

Last week in Bahrain, a 51 year-old Briton, Peter Morrissey, had two fingers cut off with a sword by a gang blocking a road in Karranah, near Manama.

Government authorities, however, have claimed that other accusations of attacks on expatriates have been fabricated and deny that foreign journalists are being denied access to the country ahead of the February 14 anniversary of the trouble.

FIA president Jean Todt was a recent visitor to Bahrain, accompanied by 1996 world champion Damon Hill.

On his return, Hill said: "I was frustrated last year that F1 did not raise its voice against what was happening. But a lot has changed there since then.

"It is clear that the situation in Bahrain is better understood and I don't think anyone would want to go back to Bahrain if there was suffering just because of a grand prix. I listened to a lot of people there, including eye-witnesses. I believe they are making change for the better."

Last Friday, however, a number of British peers co-signed a letter published in The Times newspaper in the UK. It read:

"Sir, We note with concern the decision by Formula One to go ahead with the race in Bahrain scheduled for April.

"The continued political crisis in Bahrain is a troubling source of instability in the Gulf region, and the lack of any move towards political reconciliation concerns those who wish to see Bahrain move in the direction of greater democratic accountability.

"It was hoped that the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) would provide a starting point for political reform which both government and opposition forces could agree upon. However, two months on we see an entrenchment of the positions of both sides which risks letting more extreme voices dictate the progress of the conflict.

"Given the current dire situation, with daily street protests and the deaths of more civilians, we do not believe that the time is right for Formula One to return to Bahrain.

"Bahrain is a major trading hub and financial centre in the Middle East but this brings greater responsibility.

"Human rights and economic stability go hand in hand and the government of Bahrain must do more to persuade international events and corporations that Bahrain is a stable place to do business.

"Until it takes concerted measures to reform the electoral, penal and judicial processes, international observers as well as ordinary Bahrainis can have little confidence that Bahrain is on the path to reform and political stability. We urge the FIA to reconsider its decision to continue with the race."

The letter was signed by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Lord Alton, Lord Avebury, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, Lord Hylton, Caroline Lucas and Lord Boswell.

Last year, F1 was criticised for its head-in-the-sand attitude to the Bahrain situation, when teams said that they would trust in the FIA and the commercial rights holder to make the right decision. Privately, however, some suggested that their insurance situation and responsibility to employees would have made the position untenable if the decision to go ahead with the race had been taken.

In January, a number of US diplomatic staff living in sensitive areas, were relocated. As things stand, this year's race is back-to-backed with the April 15 Chinese GP.