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AUTO-PRIX-BRN-BAHRAIN-POLITICS-RIGHTS
Amnesty accuses Bahrain of using F1 to ‘sportwash’ image
DUBAI, March 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Amnesty International on Thursday accused
Bahrain of using this weekend’s Formula One race to “sportwash” its image,
amid an intense crackdown on political dissent in the Gulf kingdom.
“Beneath the glamour of the F1, there is a far more sinister side to Bahrain,
revealing the country as a deeply repressive state where anyone critical of
the government can be jailed merely for posting a tweet,” said Amnesty’s
Middle East director Samah Hadid.
“Instead of just ‘sportwashing’ its image and glossing over its dismal
human rights record through high speed sport, the Bahraini government should
immediately repeal laws that criminalise freedom of expression and fast track
the release of all prisoners of conscience,” she said in a statement.
Bahrain, a key US ally located between rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has
been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011, when authorities cracked down on
Shiite-led protests demanding political reform.
Hundreds of protesters have since been jailed or stripped of their
nationality, including athletes.
Bahrain claims Iran trains and backs demonstrators in order to topple the
Manama government. Iran denies the accusation.
The second Grand Prix of 2019 opens in Manama on Friday and runs through
Sunday.
Global rights groups have stepped up pressure on the tiny monarchy in the
run-up to the Grand Prix.
More than a dozen global rights groups and trade unions, including Human
Rights Watch and the International Trade Union Confederation, on Wednesday
urged Formula One organisers to press the Bahraini government to release
activists jailed for criticising the race.
BSS/AFP/RY/1701 hrs