Bahrain Grand Prix faces new threats of pro-democracy demonstrations

Bahrain Grand Prix finds yet another hurdle as Pro-democracy protestors in the country are looking to capitalise on the media attention they will receive from the race to demonstrate week-long protests ahead of the race.

Bahrain GP has been a constant subject of debate since 2011 when the race was called off due to civil disobedience in the country. The media pressure in the previous year led Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to go against his will to cancel the race.

This year the Bahrain GP organisers and Ecclestone have remained strict that the race will go on as planned. FIA has also said that the race will go as planned but still the Shiite opposition party in the country known as Al-Wefaq, has said that they will be organising protests over the next seven days to take advantage of the media attention.

Al-Wefaq has maintained that the protests are going to be peaceful and the sit-ins will be away from the circuit.

“Holding the grand prix in Bahrain in 2012 risks being interpreted by the government of Bahrain as symbolising a return to business as usual,” Amnesty said on Friday. “The international community must not turn a blind eye to the ongoing human rights crisis in the country. The government must understand that its half-hearted measures are not sufficient – sustained progress on real human rights reform remains essential.”

“Despite the authorities’ claims to the contrary, state violence against those who oppose the Al Khalifa family rule continues, and in practice, not much has changed in the country since the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters in February and March 2011,” it said.

The Human Rights Center in Bahrain requested Teams and drivers to boycott the race, but the teams have shown willingness to race contrary to last year’s build up which saw some players and teams reluctant to go. Mark Webber was a player who publicly expressed that he does not want to go to Bahrain amid tensions though he was remained quiet for this year’s race.

Formula 1 supremo Ecclestone also told reporters that the teams are happy to tour the country for the race. The country does not have any issues that will pose any threat to F1.

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Posted by Kashif Khan on Apr 20 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.