15/02/2011
NEWS STORY
The wave of unrest in the Middle East, beginning in Tunisia in January and subsequently spreading to Egypt, could well threaten the season opener in Bahrain.
Just hours after the people appeared to get their way in Egypt, President Mubarak finally agreeing to stand down, there followed further unrest in Algeria, Jordan and Yemen and Bahrain, where protestors held a so-called 'Day of Rage'.
Unfortunately, while Bahrain's ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has ordered an increase in food subsidiaries and welfare payments in an attempt to ease the burden of rising food prices, and also giving the green light for each Bahraini family to receive an emergency payment of 1,000 dinars (£1,643.00), an overreaction by the Bahrain security forces has left two dead.
As the unrest continues, Nabeel Rajab, vice president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights, has warned that the forthcoming season opener in Bahrain may well be used by protestors in order to attract the attention of the watching world.
"They'll be lots of journalists, a lot of people looking and (the government) will react in a stupid manner as they did today and yesterday," he told Arabian Business. "And that will be bloody but will be more publicised."
"This will not stop, especially now when people (have) died," he continued. " don't think it's going to stop easily. Yesterday (protestors) were calling for equality, fairness, to fight corruption, discrimination, fight torture in jail; all of the human rights issues. But now if you are killing people you leave no line between you as a ruling family. That will push people maybe to go and ask for a change of government."
Ahead of the Grand Prix, the Sakhir circuit is due to host the final pre-season test next week, however, as this is not televised it is unlikely that it will be targeted. Indeed, at present the Foreign Office, though aware of the demonstrations, is not advising UK travellers to Bahrain to take any step.
However, it adds: "Sporadic demonstrations and outbreaks of violence continue at a low level in some parts of the island. Arrests have been made. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways. You should avoid large gatherings, crowds and demonstrations, as a number of them have turned violent."