27/05/2011
NEWS STORY
Human Rights Watch has written to the FIA urging F1's governing body to seriously consider whether the country's Grand Prix should be reinstated.
The New York-based organization calls on the FIA to consider the deteriorating rights situation in the Gulf Arab state.
With the FIA deadline due on June 3, King Hamed ibn Isa Khalifa recently announced that martial law - imposed on March 15 - will be lifted on June 1.
"Sadly, serious violations like arbitrary arrest, incommunicado detention, and alleged torture by Bahraini authorities predate the imposition of martial law in mid-March," said Tom Porteous, Human Rights Watch deputy program director. "There is little reason to think that ending martial law on June 1 will make much difference in Bahrain's menacing human rights climate.
"Racing officials should seriously consider the appropriateness of holding a Formula One event this year in Bahrain in light of the scale of human rights violations there," added Porteous, whose organization has been prevented from working in the country since April 20.