In 2004, Formula 1 (F1) declared its Grand Prix races in Bahrain. Headlines were made as Bahrain hosted the first race of its kind in the Middle East. It was celebrated so much to be given the title for best organized grand prix by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The races continued throughout seasons, including in 2010. And as Bahrain received international appraisal for hosting such a signifying sporting events, behind the scenes, an issue far bigger than racing cars was taking place. Issues that required Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) to step in to ensure that sporting events were ethical and praise was not handed to a territory whose civilians were silently suffering. This report will look into the pivotal moment ADHRB ensured F1, for the very first time, produced a human rights policy that would mitigate any impact its activities may have on human rights issues. Whilst both parties settled on the right side, the F1 races have continued in the Arabian peninsula, including taking place for the first time in Saudi Arabia in 2021. A nation with various human rights issues. This paper will therefore evaluate the significant role ADHRB played in ensuring the races in Bahrain did not ‘sport wash’ the wider issues occurring in the country, the changes F1 has made in relation to this for the decade through a 10 year review, and finally what changes can be made to the human rights policy guidelines for the Saudi Arabian context today.
Background
Formula 1 races have encapsulated the sports world, as the average global audience reaches 70 million at times. As a motor racing competition, its first race was held in 1950. The workings of the F1 are such that each season will have a number of races, otherwise known as their Grands Prix. Whilst it was centrally hosted in Europe in its beginnings, the races expanded to different parts of the world including the United States, Morocco, Japan, and Australia. The relationship between the F1 and the Middle East can be traced back to its first race in 2004, when Bahrain hosted the F1. The instability of human rights in Bahrain in 2004, startled a cause for concern in ‘sports washing’ nations that neglect human rights issues behind the scenes.
In fact, in 2004, Nabeel Rajab, a prominent human rights activist was repeatedly subjected to harassment, and his organisation the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights was discarded by the government. The Bahraini government was simultaneously silencing important advocates for human rights, whilst amplifying their gains as the first nation in the Middle East to host the F1 Races.
As the races and seasons continued, the Americans for Democracy and Human Rights litigation against F1 began in 2012, when private UK companies were organising F1 races at the height of human right violations across the nation. As peaceful protesters against the Bahraini government were taking place, the government authorities turned to violence, leaving many killed and more injured. Whilst, these were atrocities occuring in the streets, those who had been imprisoned died due to torture and neglect under custody of the Bahraini government. The attacks reached medical staff too as nurse and doctor protesters were beaten in voluntary medical tents. The glorification of the F1 races in a nation that was neglecting its own civilians led to the complaint that companies organising the race were inherently complicit in human rights violations in Bahrain.
ADHRB’s Role
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain is a non-profit organisation that aims to tackle the issues Bahraini civilians are suffering with, from the United States. Whilst, previously, four non-government organisations had collectively written a letter that the human rights situation in the nation had not changed for the F1 to return, a new approach was adopted by ADHRB who had filed a complaint to the UK’s contact point of the OECD. And for the first time, F1 had declared its commitment to respect human rights in Bahrain through the arrangement of a human rights policy that would address the violation of human rights in Bahrain. Nabeel Rajab, the activist mentioned earlier, and who was subjected to harassment by the Bahraini government in 2004, was one of the key figures behind this pivotal moment, and consequently was imprisoned, and released after four years in 2020.
Yet, despite the arrangement of policy, its implementation on F1’s behalf is seen to be very limited. In fact, victims are still silently suffering. In September last year, 13 Bahraini citizens were sentenced to prison for ensuing violence and force against police officers’ in the context of a peaceful demonstration in April of 2021. Amidst this continuation of suffering, ADHRB’s commitment continued as they joined 22 other organisations in writing and signing an advocacy letter to the new F1 CEO, reinstating their concerns about human rights issues in Bahrain despite the human rights policy that F1 adopted following the litigation with ADHRB. The letter has once again urged the following:
- For the formula 1 organisation to refrain from sports washing violations of human rights continuously
- To set up a committee of experts that may cautiously investigate the violations occurring in Bahrain
- Assess and re-evaluate the efficiency of the human rights policy
- Actively and publicly acknowledge human rights violations in association with the races
The F1 Human Rights policy guidelines
Following the mitigation, and as part of the settlement, F1 published a guideline, outlining their human rights policy guidelines that all nations hosting the seasons must adhere to. Their statement of commitment to respect for human rights considers three main points to be summarised in this section. This report will also seek to ensure the guidelines are in line with current locations of the Grand Prix races, including Saudi Arabia. The first is to ensure that international human rights are respected and upheld in the F1 races taking place across seasons. This must align with the United Nations guiding principles on business and human rights. The second point specifically outlines the need for ensuring the activities of the F1 do not directly shape human rights issues within its respective context, to carry out efficient discussions and practical solutions to these issues, and ensure the rights of employees are protected. This is in particular relation to discrimination and child labour. The third and final point seeks to honor domestic laws whilst simultaneously maintaining international human rights law.
10 year review of F1 in Arabian peninsula
2014-2024 – Bahrain edition
This year will mark a decade since the Formula 1 races were expanded tremendously in the Arabian peninsula. Since then, controversy on whether hosting sports events in territories where human rights are often neglected is unethical is a major topic up to debate. To evaluate this, it will be important to go back to the very beginning of this decade, in 2014, when the Bahrain Grand Prix offered a visual spectacle to the racing world and provided competitors with cooler conditions for racing, as the GP was held as a night race. The first race, now famously remarked as the ‘duel in the desert’ showcased a tense battle between Hamilton and Rosberg, in which Hamilton had won the title of.
The protests against the races being held in Bahrain in 2011, which cancelled the Grand Prix races that year meant the government focused on a violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests, to silence activists and in return offer a warm welcome to tourists and engagers of the F1 season.This crackdown included death of protestors, arbitary detention, and torture of hundreds and more. These issues extended beyond the events of 2011 into the persecution of innocent individuals on a regular basis to the extent that organizations such as RefWorld have coined Bahrain as a human rights crisis completely. Below covers a summary of the various human rights issues taking place in the nation:
Serious restriction of freedom of expression
This restriction is not simply limited to citizens of the nation but crosses into the restrictions of the media. In fact, the constitution explicitly states that:
“Provided the fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine are not infringed, and the unity of the people is not prejudiced”.
Any individual that the government deems against this may issue penal codes that may include up to seven years of imprisonment. The Americans for Democracy and Human Rights website has specifically dedicated a profile in persecution which outlines and updates the imprisonment and torture of individuals deemed ‘infringing the integrity of the nation’.
The media in their own ways are severely restricted further. Government censorship is prominent where the Ministry of information Affairs is able to closely monitor and manage media reports that arouse public access to certain information regarding the state.
Limitation on freedom of movement and the right to leave Bahrain
A prominent human right concern that perhaps initiated the litigation and F1 controversy in allowing the races to take place in Bahrain is the suppression of political dissent that exists in the nation. Bahrain has continuously cracked down on political opposition and peaceful protests. With this in mind, activists, and human right defenders are frequently imprisoned, or disappeared. These sort of restrictions have also restricted freedom of assembly where public gatherings often face violent dismissal. In fact, as the Bahrain Grand Prix in November of 2020 was to mark the 20th anniversary of the race, marking a special occasion as its 20th anniversary with F1, activists including an 11 year old boy were arrested for joining the protests.
2014-2024 – Abu Dhabi edition
The spread around the Middle East continued in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Whilst the first race took place in November of 2009 on the Yas Marina circuit, Abu Dhabi’s consecutive grand prix races led to a 10 year agreement in December 2021, in which the Formula one group has enabled for Abu Dhabi to hold the final race of the F1 season until 2030, a huge landmark for Abu Dhabi and their sporting successes. Amidst these successes for the nation, the workers constructing and ensuring the circuits and stadiums are well fit for viewers and tourists are at a cost and danger to their life, with exposure to extreme heat without protection.
2014- 2024 – Saudi Arabia edition
Similarly, for Saudi Arabia, we could go further into the role F1 plays in normalizing or distracting from the ongoing human rights violations, particularly around the Shia minority. You’ve touched on important facts, but we could benefit from a more thorough exploration of how F1’s presence in these countries is directly or indirectly supporting problematic practices.
Yet, the widespread controversy for sportswashing in nations that are suffering with human rights issues, rose through the Grand Prix’s held in Jeddah for the very first time in 2021. The fastest street circuit and a pleasing visual sight has not detracted human right activists and many from ignoring the bloodshed and violence that occurs in the nation. Many have suggested the F1 races are in ways enabling violence as over 1000 people have been executed by the regime in the past decade. In 2022, 81 men were simultaneously executed one day prior to the grand prix in Saudi Arabia, half of whom were murdered for their religious affiliation with the Shia minority sect of Islam.
This is worrying, that as competitors, viewers and tourists are tuning into the spectacles of the Grand Prix in Jeddah, innocent civilians are relentlessly murdered for the simple act of practicing a certain religion, or voicing a certain thought. It is imperative to consider the plight of the shia minority in Saudi arabia within this context. Whilst they only comprise 5-10% of the total population in Saudi Arabia, they are often treated as second class citizens and under harassment as far back as 1802. The government often refuses to allow for the construction of mosques, denying many the basic right to practice their religious belief. The political tension between Iran, its influence in neighboring Iraq has not helped the situation, given that in 2015, the government had beheaded 37 Shia men for supposedly spying on behalf of Iran. By taking pride in hosting their games in such regions, F1 is normalising discrimination of minorities based on religious practices, and enabling governments to continue their relentless persecution. Whilst this connection may be deemed indirect, and for some irrelevant, the concept of sportswashing takes place at its best; the use of a high profile sports where high profile players and celebrities alike Lewis Hamilton divert the attention away from the real, painful and consistent human rights abuses to the night lights, and the flashing race cars.
In this light, to encapsulate the extent to which the human rights policy document has been put into practice, it will be important to consider its actions post litigation. Concerns have been raised as Saudi Arabia hosted the F1 grand prix in 2021 for the very first time. This is interesting given that Saudi Arabia has a longstanding track record of neglecting human rights issues. Human rights abuses that have occurred in the county include the following:
Freedom of expression and belief
Saudi citizens and media users, who have voiced their concerns or criticized the government, are subject to serving long prison sentences. This is particularly the case for female activists, human rights lawyers and activists. Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia are very limited and often under the control of male guardianship. Domestic violence and sexual abuse in marriage is therefore common and openly justified.
The treatment of asylum seekers and migrant workers
Human Rights Watch has found that Saudi border police guards tend to use explosive weapons against unarmed migrants at close range, this is not limited to women and children.
Despite this, the nation’s economy heavily relies on migrant workers. Yet, through the abusive visa sponsorship system, Saudi employers are handed the power to neglect and exploit the mobility of migrant workers, and expose them to various abuses including confiscating their passports, and not paying their wages enough or on time.
Both human rights issues above concentrate under the inefficient criminal justice system of Saudi Arabia that permits for a range of human rights abuses to take place across all sectors of society. The nation does not have a set of laws that protect sexual or gender discrimination, and by using Islamic principles to dictate law, leaving many innocent individuals under harm of prosecution by the government for simply existing.
2014-2024 – Qatar edition
The new addition to the Middle East expansion of the F1 races includes the Qatar Grand Prix that has only first been held in 2021, but where a 10 year deal has taken place ensuring its sturdy position in the future of F1 races. Qatar’s role in international sports has gained he momentum as they held the FIFA world cup in 2022 which has enhanced its global profile, and placed Qatar in the spotlight. However, this has not always been represented positively.
The rights of laborers in Qatar has been a long standing issue, before the Formula 1 races. Workers would be required to obtain permission from their employers to resign and change their jobs. This is part of their kafala system which essentially permits private citizens and companies of many Arab Gulf countries total control over the employment and status of their employees.
Fortunately, changes to this system in 2020 have provided workers some level of autonomy, with a notice period of up to two months. Nonetheless, F1 has decided to host its games in a nation that must continue to change traditional systems that abuse the rights and wellbeing of overseas employees.
Whilst limited reports have been concluded for the F1 races, in preparation for the highly anticipated FIFA world cup in 2022, the construction of stadiums and many other tourist infrastructure such as hotels and public transport systems have caused work related injuries and deaths. The same prediction can be made for the F1 races that are scheduled to take place in Qatar. In fact, Amnesty International has called on F1 to ensure they protect and embed labour standards in all future F1 races, in a bid to “break the spell of sportswashing”.
What next…
In 2023, Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1 received a letter from ADHRB and 20 other organizations regarding the continuation of sport washing ahead of the Grand Prix scheduled in Bahrain. It requested that as the Grand Prix was pulled in Russia, the same should be applied to nations where human rights developments are stagnant.
The human rights policy drawn up by F1 following the litigation has very little implementation success and perhaps the F1 alongside other sports related organizations may adopt a human rights policy that will include the following:
Due diligence
Before entering an agreement or contract with a nation to host any form of sports events, it is important that the organization assess the human rights issues in the given nation. To evaluate the extent to which freedom of expression exists, and whether the protection of citizens is at the heart of the government’s interests. Without this, F1 must refuse to consider a nation and partake in sports washing.
Adopt a human rights charter
There are multiple non-governmental organizations that provide a list of human rights principles that must be practiced. This includes the UN guiding principles on Business and Human Rights. Abiding to a charter may ensure F1’s commitment to protecting all clauses of a charter, and avoiding divergence in the interests of sports solely.
Anti-censorship measures
An issue prevalent in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, F1 must ensure its races are conducted in nations where media outlets and social media use are not controlled and censored by the government in power. Not only does this prevent the races and the context surrounding it to be represented internationally appropriately, it contributes to the silencing of the persecution of innocent civilians.
Engagement with drivers and teams on human rights issues
As drivers and its respective teams are influential individuals in the social world, and as safety precautions for drivers must be considered, informing them to engage with the issues surrounding the host nation and its human rights may be impactful in this light. Encouragement to speak out on injustices and discrimination may bring light to the topic, and pressure governments.
The increasing presence of nations with human rights controversies in F1 has raised significant ethical concerns surrounding the phenomenon of ‘sportswashing’. These countries, with severely repressive regimes and violations of human rights, utilize F1 and its globality to improve their international image whilst betraying their domestic issues. Despite F1 maintaining a neutrality stance, its litigation was a key moment in demonstrating that sporting events can and must transcend political boundaries. The FIA is under continous scrutiny, as it must be. They must promote justice and take accountability, whilst pressuring their host nations to adhere to international human rights laws. Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing the sports global expansion with its social responsibility. A more transparent and ethical approach may achieve this balance through taking on a policy that adheres to the pursuit of protecting and maintaining human rights around the world.
