09/02/2012
NEWS STORY
Seven Lords and an MP have written to the Times, expressing their unease at plans for Formula One to return to Bahrain this year.
Despite the assurances of the government, race organisers, Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill, in a letter to the Times the authors - Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Lord Alton, Lord Avebury, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, Lord Hylton, Lord Boswell and Caroline Lucas MP - feel that little has been done to address the issues raised by last year's independent inquiry.
They write:
" We note with concern the decision by Formula 1 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," the letter says.
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 1 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."
As recently as last weekend, the (pro-government) Gulf Daily News has reported the numerous ongoing incidents in Bahrain, including an attack on a "European man" by "yobs carrying swords" which resulted in him losing two fingers.
Earlier this week, a number of figures in the paddock said that while happy to race in Bahrain they would look to the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone for guidance.