15 March 2022 – 27 NGOs wrote to the CEO of Formula 1 (F1), Stefano Domenicali, to condemn the company’s “clear double standard” on Ukraine in comparison to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. Rights groups raised concerns over F1’s failure to engage with rights groups in spite of “continued institutionalized repression” in Bahrain, whilst calling on F1 to use their platform to secure redress for victims in Bahrain, reconsider their policy on racing in Gulf states due to their role in waging war in Yemen, and evaluate their contract with Bahrain, said the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) and Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) today.
Husain Abdullah, Executive Director of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), commented: “When Formula 1 finally adopted a human rights policy, it failed to make any meaningful impact on the victims who have suffered due to the staging of their races in the Gulf. We once again call upon F1 to refrain from sportswashing and to stand up for the victims of abuse and war in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen once and for all, just as they have done in Ukraine.”
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Advocacy Director at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, commented: “Formula 1 must uphold values of peace and unity everywhere, particularly in the countries where they are racing. At present the F1 races in the Gulf are only enabling Bahrain and Saudi to sportswash their abysmal human rights records which continue to deteriorate. How long will F1 fans allow their sport to be exploited by abusive regimes? Rewarding Bahrain with one of the longest contracts in racing history speaks volumes about how they dismiss human rights concerns and prioritise profit. This hypocrisy must end.”
Full list of signatories to the letter:
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Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy
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ACAT-France
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ALQST for Human Rights
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Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain
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Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK
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Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
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CIVICUS
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Democracy for the Arab World Now
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European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
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FEMENA
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Football Supporters Europe
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Global Legal Action Network
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Gulf Centre for Human Rights
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Human Rights Sentinel
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GLAI Organization
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International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
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International Service for Human Rights
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International Trade Union Confederation
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MENA Rights Group
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Scholars at Risk
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Sport & Rights Alliance
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The Army of Survivors
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Transparency International Germany
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WHRD MENA Coalition
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Women’s March Global
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World Organisation Against Torture
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World Players Association, UNI Global Union
