Posts from — April 2012

editor: In the past twenty four hours dozens have been shot with “birdshot” in village protests. The usual barrage of Chemical Gas that fills the air has been curtailed in an obvious effort to “clear the air” for race day. In short, the MOI Police have intensified their use of more lethal and injurious force in order to provide greater comfort for the race teams and fans. Impunity and State Violence of this nature is an invitation to disastrous consequences. Motor Sports unbridled greed will be a stain on Grand Prix motors sports for years to come, as the spineless F1 teams become the moral-less bastards and trod on the blood Bahrainis who are dying for the basic democratic freedoms the racers enjoy. All the while Bahrain’s heartless, shameful King Hamad “force feeds” a hunger striker near death in order to hold his race without a back drop of the murderous unjust detentions of hundreds of political prisoners under torture and mistreatment. Phlipn.

Grand Prix decision masks Bahrain’s political unrest
Frank Gardner – BBC – 13 April, 2012

So Bahrain’s Formula 1 Grand Prix is going ahead after all.

By Sunday night, the racing cars will start being loaded up onto cargo planes in Shanghai and heading west across the Indian Ocean.

By Tuesday, the whole F1 entourage will have arrived in the tiny, troubled Gulf state, ahead of the Grand Prix on 22 April at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

The decision to override concerns about safety and ethics and go ahead is a victory for the Bahraini government, the business community, expatriates and many others.

It is also a setback for anti-government activists and human rights organisations, who fear the whole event will be used by the ruling family to pretend everything is back to normal in Bahrain. It is not.
‘Not much has changed’

Amnesty International has just brought out a new report saying: “The human rights crisis in Bahrain is not over.”

“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.”
Bernie Ecclestone speaks to reporters in Shanghai (13 April 2012) Bernie Ecclestone said there was no difference between holding a GP in China and Bahrain

The organisation goes on to say: “Holding the Grand Prix in Bahrain in 2012 risks being interpreted by the government of Bahrain as symbolising a return to business as usual.”

Social media websites, which do not always reflect real opinion on the ground, have been alive with discussion on the issue.

Most commentators condemn the decision to go ahead, unaware or perhaps overlooking the fact that this Sunday’s Grand Prix will be held in China.

Last year, China was also criticised by Amnesty for “jailing and persecuting people for peacefully expressing their views”, where “the use of illegal forms of detention expanded, including… detention in ‘black’ jails, ‘brainwashing’ centres and psychiatric institutions”.

Some argue that sport should be above politics; others say it is immoral to hold the event in any either country with a human rights record like that.

Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula 1 boss, who has been one of the strongest proponents of holding a Grand Prix in Bahrain, and whose picture is already being set fire to in certain Shia districts, says: “There is no difference between holding it [in China] or in Bahrain.”
Women protest against the detention of a politician and human rights activist in Bahrain (12 April 2012) Civil unrest has continued since mass pro-demcracy protests erupted in February 2011

Not quite true, say some, pointing out that in China there is no sizeable or visible protest movement demanding that the Grand Prix is called off. …more

editor: It is truly one of the most disturbing choices in Motor Sport history. Ecclestone, Webber and the F1 teams choose to attend a race while King Hamad “force feeds” Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, in the throws of death from Hunger Strike, so they can have their race unimpeded. People such as these are moral-less beings, their breach of morality is simply incomprehensible. Their stain on Bahrain’s Grand Prix can never be erased. Phlipn.

Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix to go ahead
AFP – 13 April 13, 2012

THE Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled according to motorsport’s world governing body.

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile declared in a statement on its website that it had taken into account concerns over safety after more than a year of pro-democracy demonstrations in the Gulf state.

“Based on the current information the FIA has at this stage, it is satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula One World Championship event in Bahrain,” the statement said.

The event in Bahrain, scheduled for next weekend, was the hottest topic of conversation in Shanghai, which hosts the third grand prix of the season on Sunday.

The FIA and many drivers had earlier tried to get the focus back on the Chinese Grand Prix, but the fate of the Gulf race would not go away.
Rec Coverage 28 Day pass

“So, Bahrain?” Red Bull’s Australian driver Mark Webber said, unprompted, to open his media briefing.

“There’s no beating around the bush – it is sensitive out there,” he said, attempting to pick his words carefully.

“We can only go on what the FIA are reading into the situation and obviously we are putting in an enormous amount of trust – I don’t mean ‘we’ the drivers. I’m talking about you guys, photographers, caterers, everybody.”

The FIA last year postponed the Bahrain race before removing it from last season’s schedule over the demonstrations.

The Gulf state says the situation is calm and the race would be a chance for Bahrain to unite, but ongoing protests and violence, including a bomb attack on Monday that wounded seven policemen, had put the event in jeopardy again.

The teams were reportedly keen not to take part, but said they could not make the decision to cancel the race and were looking for the FIA to tell them what to do.

Webber, 35, said there were moral and safety considerations – demonstrators have claimed they will target the race – to take into account.

“It has been distracting. Trying to give a fair and correct position on Bahrain with you guys is something that I try to be fair with and you want to get that right.

“It’s an unusual position for a grand prix driver to be put in.”
…source

Carlos Latuff

Bahrain: UN human rights experts urge immediate release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja
13 April, 2012 – United Nations Human Rights

GENEVA (13 April 2012) – Four United Nations human rights experts on Friday urged the Government of Bahrain to immediately release human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja who is serving a life sentence handed down by a military court on terrorism-related charges. The call comes amid serious concerns about the lack of due process and fair trial guarantees.

The National Safety Court, a military court, sentenced Al-Khawaja to life imprisonment on 22 June 2011, after his trial alongside a group of more than 20 human rights defenders. An appeal was rejected by the National Safety Court of Appeal on 28 September 2011. Al-Khawaja’s case is now being reviewed by the Court of Cassation which is due to deliver its verdict on 23 April.

“I am seriously concerned that Mr. Al-Khawaja’s trial and sentence are linked to his legitimate work to promote human rights in Bahrain,” said Margaret Sekaggya, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. “This case is sadly emblematic of the overall treatment of human rights defenders in Bahrain.”

Maina Kiai, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and association expressed similar concerns about Mr. Al-Khawaja’s detention being directly linked to his human rights activities in the context of the on-going protests in Bahrain.

“Any restriction to the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly must be proportional and must be closely reviewed with respect to its necessity and reasonableness,” Mr. Kiai.

“Restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly on the grounds of national security should not be used to suppress the legitimate activities of human rights defenders and activists.”

Gabriela Knaul, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, expressed grave concern about the trial of Al-Khawaja and other human rights defenders who were collectively tried before a military court despite being civilians. It is alleged that the group was held for a significant period of time in incommunicado detention before being allowed to seek legal counsel. Allegations that the defendants made confessions under duress have reportedly not been investigated and evidence obtained under torture was reportedly not excluded from the trial – in contravention of international law.

“The lack of due process which was alleged during the trials must be addressed by the court where his case is currently under review,” Ms. Knaul stated.

The Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan E. Mendez, added that: “The Government of Bahrain has failed to take necessary measures to ensure the physical and mental integrity of Mr. Al-Khawaja in accordance with the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.”

Mr. Al-Khawaja has been on hunger strike since 8 February 2012. Despite assurances expressed by Bahraini authorities, reports and photos documenting his poor state of health continue to emerge.

“In view of the urgency of the matter, we strongly call on the Government to seriously reconsider the offer by Denmark to transfer Al-Khawaja, a dual citizen of Denmark and Bahrain, on humanitarian grounds, for medical treatment to Denmark,” the experts urged. …more

Protest in Beirut in solidarity with ‘Bahrain uprising,’ Khawaja
Dana Khraiche – 13 April, 2012 – The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Around 100 men and women protested Friday in Downtown Beirut in support of the “uprising in Bahrain” and for the release of imprisoned Bahraini activist Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja who has been on hunger strike for 64 days.

A line of women in black held large signs with Khawaja’ picture as tens of army soldiers and riot police surrounded the protesters at Riad Solh square in the capital.

Bahraini activists and religious figures flew in to Lebanon to help organize the demonstration in collaboration with the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, which was founded by Khawaja.

“Bahraini people complain of the weak coverage from Arab media of their case, which is based on oppressed people who have been ruled by a backward family for decades and now they have reached the tipping point,” Sheikh Jaafar al-Alawi, a leading figure in a Muslim movement in Bahrain, told The Daily Star.

He added that the problem with the uprising against the government in Manama was being misrepresented as a sectarian, Shiite-led movement.

He stressed that the movement was a purely secular and national one.

“We are grateful for the Lebanese people who embrace Arab opposition members and particularly the Bahraini ones,” he added.

In February of last year, protests by Bahrainis calling for reform were crushed by the government. Bahrain accused Iran of fueling the protests. Tehran denied the allegations.

Recent weeks have seen a renewal of large-scale protests. Last month, thousands of Bahrainis demonstrated near Manama to demand democratic reform.

Describing Lebanon as an oasis of freedom in the “Arabian desert,” Alawi expressed hope that the Lebanese would stand against oppressors everywhere and that Lebanon remains a place where people can express their views freely.

A brief scuffle disrupted the protest when a young group of youths carrying posters slamming President Bashar Assad and Bahraini king Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa tried to join in, but the anti-Manama protesters tore their signs and asked the young men to leave. …more

UKs Top Cop and King Hamad Security Contractor Yates’s, says the protests are from a “very small minority – often groups of 15-20 young men. These are criminal acts being perpetrated against an unarmed police force who, in the face of such attacks, are acting with remarkable restraint. “These people are intent on causing harm to the police and the communities in which they live. They are not representative of the vast majority of delightful, law-abiding citizens that represent the real Bahrain that I see every day.

Small Group of law-abiding citizens gather to remember Ahmed Ismail murder by Bahrain Plain Clothes Agents in lead-up to F1 teams decision to tread on the blood of Bahrain’s freedom seekers

When Ahmed was shot, he shouted and tried to run for about 20 feet until he fell. One of the protesters tried to help him walk from the scene until Ahmed fainted. Other youths gathered and carried him inside the village, taking him to a house where he had first aid before taking him to the hospital.

Ahmed lay mortally wounded after filming MOI plain clothes beating peaceful protester and then is him self killed in “drive by” assassination.

Ahmed attending previous Bahrain F1

Funeral March marks the death of Ahmed Ismail 13 April, 2012

And finally the attack on Ahmed’s mourners visiting graveside at the cemetery

Human Rights Watch warns Formula 1 over Bahrain Grand Prix
By Edd Straw – 12 April, 2012 – AutoSport.com

Bahrain Human Rights Watch has warned Formula 1 that by holding next week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, it will be endorsing the kingdom’s regime despite claims that sport and politics don’t mix.

Joe Stork, the deputy middle east director of Human Rights Watch, which monitors human rights issues worldwide, stopped short of calling for the race to be cancelled in an interview with AUTOSPORT. But he believes that if the race does happen then F1 will be seen as supporting the government.

“You can’t say that you are not mixing politics and sport when you are coming down on one side,” Stork told AUTOSPORT. “You may prefer not to be facing the choice of whether to go in or stay out, but this is the choice F1 faces. Whatever decision it takes, there is a political aspect to it.

“We don’t feel that it is our place to be calling for F1 to boycott Bahrain. But it is not a very good situation and it’s getting steadily worse. We are not security experts, so that’s a whole separate consideration that F1 needs to take into account as well.

“We are looking at a lockdown. F1 is not my world, but this seems to be a terrible climate in which to hold what is supposed to be a competitive, festive sporting event. In the circumstances, I don’t know who is going to be having any fun.”

Stork believes that even though there is a good chance that security forces in Bahrain can make the race itself safe, F1 will face serious questions about its willingness to race there.

Protests against the race have been ongoing in Bahrain in recent weeks according to widespread news reports, and they are expected to continue once F1 arrives.

“I think that they [F1] will have some explaining to do,” said Stork. “I can easily imagine that the security will be such that you won’t have the race disrupted on the track and I imagine that they can keep that under control.

“But if you have a situation where there are demonstrations on a nightly, if not daily basis, clashes with security forces who aren’t known for the most sophisticated crowd control techniques is not going to be good.

“It’s not going to be good for Bahrain, it’s not going to be good for F1 either if it happens either during the race or when it’s clear that the demonstrations are primarily aimed at stopping the race. That’s what the story will be.”

Stork accepts that staging the race will be a positive for some in the kingdom – specifically the government – but that this is not a valid argument for the race going ahead.

“From the Bahraini government’s point of view, of course,” he said when asked if there were potential benefits to the race going ahead. “They are desperate to make the case that the situation is normal from a security point of view, normal in terms of civil strife, and that it’s one big happy family.

“But the fact is, it’s not normal. I’m not sure that it’s the mission or the mandate of F1 to be participating in these kinds of exercises.

“Then there’s the financial aspects. The economy of Bahrain is not in the best shape given the year-plus of civil unrest. F1 is a money-maker and is good for Bahraini business and tourism.

“The [ruling] Al Khalifa family are desperate for [the grand prix] to happen. But that doesn’t mean that it should happen.” …source

Shocking Facts About Who’s Arming Human Rights Abusers
12 April, 2012 – Amnesty Interational

Just six countries export a whopping 74 percent of the world’s weapons, with the US making up 35 percent of the global total.

Treaties regulate the global trade of many products – even bananas and dinosaur bones – but not guns and bullets. We need a strong Arms Trade Treaty that will stop tools of death from getting into the hands of people like Syria’s Assad and Sudan’s Bashir who continue to brutalize their people.

In July, UN member countries will debate the adoption of a global Arms Trade Treaty. Take action to make sure they make the right decision — to keep weapons out of the wrong hands!

…more

Yates is a credible figure to a point, he is after all being employed by the Interior Ministry; he was forced to resign from the police over the way he conducted the investigation into the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World. Yet despite his intervention and the British Government’s ongoing advice that travel to Bahrain is not restricted, the teams’ own risk assessments indicate that there are potential risks from isolated incidents and even a kidnap risk. They are also concerned about protestors getting hurt whilst making their voices heard against F1′s presence in the country, as everyone feels is inevitable.

FIA sends out message that Bahrain is safe for F1 as US government speaks up
12 April, 2012 – Darren Heath – JA.F1

[Updated] In the paddock at Shanghai today the talk is all on one subject: the Bahrain Grand Prix and whether it will take place next week. Although an emerging protest into the Mercedes front wing looks like it will soon take some of the spotlight off the politics.

The Bahrain situation is now acquiring an acute feel to it, with many team members and media due to fly from Shanghai to Bahrain in little over 72 hours time. The teams are clearly very concerned about the event and looking to the FIA for leadership.

FIA president Jean Todt will arrive in Shanghai on Friday night and will come into the circuit on Saturday, while Bernie Ecclestone arrived today and will meet with the 12 teams at lunchtime on Friday. Ecclestone told Reuters this afternoon that the race is on, unless the Bahrainis themselves decide to call it off.

Although he has said nothing on the matter in public, Todt has today issued a letter from former Metropolitan Police chief John Yates, who was heading the security operation at the London 2012 Olympics and is now on a short term contract with the Bahraini Government on a security brief, following the BICI enquiry into last year’s uprising. The letter is intended to show that the FIA’s assessment is that it will be safe for F1 to race in Bahrain next week.

Yates, who has been living in Bahrain since January, says that the situation on the ground in Bahrain is not as is being portrayed in the media and that trouble consists of a few small protests involving youths and that there is no security risk to F1 teams and personnel. What he calls “the real picture of life in Bahrain” is being distorted by the opposition messaging and this is leading to an inaccurate picture being portrayed in the media and to the teams. A report by Lotus following a recce last week also found the situation relatively normal, but the teams’ fear is that once the F1 circus sets up at Sakhir, things could quickly escalate.

Yates’s letter says the protests are from a “very small minority – often groups of 15-20 young men. These are criminal acts being perpetrated against an unarmed police force who, in the face of such attacks, are acting with remarkable restraint.
“These people are intent on causing harm to the police and the communities in which they live. They are not representative of the vast majority of delightful, law-abiding citizens that represent the real Bahrain that I see every day. Along with my family, I feel completely safe. Indeed, safer than I have often felt in London.”

Yates is a credible figure to a point, he is after all being employed by the Interior Ministry; he was forced to resign from the police over the way he conducted the investigation into the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World. Yet despite his intervention and the British Government’s ongoing advice that travel to Bahrain is not restricted, the teams’ own risk assessments indicate that there are potential risks from isolated incidents and even a kidnap risk. They are also concerned about protestors getting hurt whilst making their voices heard against F1′s presence in the country, as everyone feels is inevitable.

So far however, there has been no focal point for calls to abandon the race, rather a general fear and unease. However a statement from the US Government on Wednesday may provide the start of such a rallying point. White House spokesman Jay Carney said, “The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in Bahrain, and we urge all parties to reject violence in all its forms.

“We condemn the violence directed against police and government institutions, including recent incidents that have resulted in serious injuries to police officers.

“We also call on the police to exercise maximum restraint, and condemn the use of excessive force and indiscriminate use of tear gas against protesters, which has resulted in civilian casualties.”

source…

Bahraini Police Must Protect Peaceful Demonstrators during Formula One Event
12 April, 2012 – Human Rights First

Washington, DC – Human Rights First today raised concerns that Bahraini police will attack, rather than protect peaceful protestors who are expected to demonstrate during this weekend’s Formula One racing event. The organization noted that, in past protests, Bahraini demonstrators have been met with excessive force and that organizers have an obligation to thwart a repeat of these abuses.

“In the past year, the Bahraini police have proven time and again that their preferred response to peaceful demonstrators is brutality, arrest, and torture,” said Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley. “Until the government addresses these issues, we remain concerned for the safety of protesters.”

Since February of last year, the government of Bahrain has engaged in an ongoing crackdown on protestors, unfairly prosecuting protestors, including medics and educators, and torturing those in police custody. The police force is not trusted by Bahraini citizens, who often fear that going to the police for any reason will result in their prosecution. Human Rights First is concerned that there is no guarantee for the safety of protestors during the Formula One race; in the past they have been subjected to excessive force, beatings, and tear gas.

“Until the government of Bahrain addresses the pervasive human rights abuses, the Formula One race will forever be associated with a brutal regime intent on violently attacking its own citizens,” concluded Dooley. …source

editor: The teams and the FIA can “steer clear” and wait for “fair day” in Bahrain to hold their race or they can let it become a bloody stain that rolls around every year. It seems a no brainier, but if one heeds the idiocy of an ego tripping Ecclestone and fiscally desperate King Hamad, they put the entire FIA enterprise to shame and push the whole pack into the bloody walls of Bahrain. Phlipn.

Bernie Ecclestone will meet F1 teams to discuss Bahrain GP
By Dan Roan – 12 April, 2012

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone will meet the sport’s 12 teams in Shanghai on Friday to discuss whether the controversial Bahrain Grand Prix should go ahead, the BBC has learned.

However a senior FIA official told the BBC “The race is still on. The situation is not like last year.”

2011’s race was called off following pro-democracy protests in the country.

But now a number of them expect the race to be called off amid security concerns caused by civil unrest.

On Tuesday Ecclestone said no teams had expressed concerns to him and a summit has been called ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Despite holding the meeting, Ecclestone said on Thursday only the Bahrain sporting authorities could cancel the race. “The race is on the calendar,” he said. “It’s scheduled.”

Formula 1: Bahrain GP row explained

The Formula One Teams’ Association (Fota), meanwhile, insists it is down to the sport’s governing body, the FIA, to cancel the race. But the BBC can reveal Friday’s crisis meeting will not include FIA chief Jean Todt who does not arrive in Shanghai until Saturday.

That may mean any decision is delayed until the weekend, with cars scheduled to be air-freighted to Bahrain on Sunday night.

Bahrain authorities remain confident the race will go ahead.

Unlike last year, the Bahrain authorities are in no mood to cancel the race themselves, so the decision rests with the FIA this time.

But, speaking on condition of anonymity from Shanghai where the third stage of the F1 takes place on Sunday, the senior FIA official told the BBC’s Bill Law that John Yates – Scotland yard’s assistant commissioner until he resigned last year but now serving as a special advisor to Bahrain’s Minister of Interior – has been reassuring. …more

Webber, “We don’t want to be involved in the situation that is out there, but the people that support our race are on one side and that’s why it is so sensitive.”

Webber says F1 drivers have no choice but to trust FIA to make right call on Bahrain
By Jonathan Noble and Edd Straw – 12 April, 2012 – AutoSport.com

Mark Webber, Red Bull RacingMark Webber believes that Formula 1 drivers have no choice but to trust the FIA to make the right decision on whether the Bahrain Grand Prix will be safe.

The Australian described it as a “waste of time” for the drivers to discuss the issue because there are so many different agendas and perspectives and that the FIA is in the position to make a call on whether the race should go ahead.

“We can only go on what the FIA are reading into the situation and we are putting an immense amount of trust in them in going to and from the track each day, competing at the track and having a normal grand prix weekend,” said Webber.

“There are some massive decisions to be made. It is a difficult decision now because we are a week away. Now it’s topical, there is a lot more pressure involved in the decision-making process and it’s on the FIA as the teams and Bernie [Ecclestone] have stated.

“We all know why it has dragged a bit. With the funding and finances that have come from Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and the Middle East, they are excited about F1 and they clearly want to give it another go.”

The Australian was a critic of the possibility of racing in Bahrain last year, but admitted that it is difficult to get reliable information on the real situation to make a judgement on next week’s event.

“I’ve tried to watch the news to get the most balanced view that I can possibly get without being too corrupted with other information,” said Webber. “It has been a little quieter but sitting here I have as much information as anyone else really.

“If I have a choice, then I want to race. That’s what I want to do. But saying that, you cannot ignore the fact that in the back of your mind there are a lot of good people in our sport and all of them want it to go down smoothly. We don’t want to be involved in the situation that is out there, but the people that support our race are on one side and that’s why it is so sensitive.”

Webber added that while increased security provisions have been put in place, he does have concerns that not everyone involved with F1 will benefit from the same level.

“There are [safety] measures in place and there is added security,” said Webber. “But we also accept that not everybody can have that and that doesn’t make me feel comfortable. Let’s hope that it [the extra security] is complete overkill.

“We need to trust that the people taking the decision know how these people are going to operate. I don’t know.” …more