F1 criticised for ignoring Bahrain HR, anger at mass executions by Saudis
On 19th March former Formula One World Champion, Damon Hill, says F1 has an “opportunity to draw attention” to human rights issues in countries it races in ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, and he hopes the sport is a “positive influence”. The seven-time world title winner, Lewis Hamilton has been sent a drawing of his car by 12-year-old Bahraini Ahmed Ramadhan, whose father Mohamed is on death row in the country. He has called on Hamilton to draw attention to his father’s plight. M Hamilton has said he needs ‘allies’ to help resolve global human rights crises. Formula 1 has long drawn criticism for holding events in countries which are accused of carrying out human rights abuses though with the exception of Russia this year, they have not withdrawn their races from any country. Hamilton said he still hoped F1’s presence could have a positive effect: “I haven’t seen the drawing but each year I receive letters from those who are suffering and all I can do is try my hardest to empathise with those who face these challenges and have these tragic stories to tell. Jeremy Corbyn said that the F1 race presents real example of the double standards of sports politics. In a letter to F1, 27 NGOs said: “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.”
In the past few days khalifi regime’s forces detained several people for their anti-regime peaceful activities. Among them was Naji Kamal Marhoon from Al Ma’amir town. Another detainee was the well-known elderly activist, Majid Abdul Muhsin, 72, also known as Hajji Sumood (steadfast) who was arrested and given six months prison sentence. He was forced to pay 1000 BD ($2500) to get a bail. He suffers several ailments and was detained while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Political prisoner, Hussain Al Sahlawi who was infected with Covid-19 last month is still suffering from its effects. His breathing is difficult and he feels pains in his body. His family has been pressing for a more humane treatment but the khalifis refuse to provide adequate medical care.
Last week a senior religious scholar was sentenced by the khalifi regime to one year imprisonment. Sheikh Mohammad Al Madhi was accused of criticizing the oppressive Umayyad ruler, Mu’awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan. The cleric is paying heavy price for expressing an opinion on a historical matter.
On 17th March Scholar At Risk organisation tweeted: Today marks 11 years since the arrest of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, who remains imprisoned in Bahrain for engaging in peaceful protest and exercising his right to free expression. It urged people to sign a petition calling for Dr Al Singace’s release.
The wife of a political prisoner has confirmed that her husband had started a hunger strike to demand proper medical care for his serious ailments. On Saturday, 19th March Ali Hassan Hammad, from Dair Town, suffers acute pain in his back and limbs. On 24th January while at Bloc 10 Wing 2 of the notorious Jau prison he suffered a fall in the bathroom and was taken by Ambulance to the hospital, but he did not receive proper treatment. He is now unable to stand up when praying and cannot sleep at night due to the excruciating pain. This month his wife handed a written complaint to prison officials but little has been done to relieve his pain.
The failed visit to Saudi Arabi by Boris Johnson has been widely criticised. Last week he travelled to Riyadh one day after the Saudis had executed 81 political prisoners in one go. But this heinous crime did not deter Mr Johnson from shaking hands with the notorious Saudi crown prince, Mohammad Bin Salman who is widely accused of ordering the butchering of Jamal Khashaggi in October 2018 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. On the day of the trip the Saudis executed three more people. Mr Johnson failed to criticise this mass murder. The anti-capital punishment Reprieve said the killings emphasised how little rulers like MBS were concerned by their public perception. “Carrying out these executions while the leader of a western power is on Saudi soil was a provocative act designed to flaunt the crown prince’s power and impunity to the world,” said Reprieve director Maya Foa. Michelle Bachelet, UNHRC said in a statement. “I condemn Saudi Arabia’s mass execution on Saturday of 81 people on terrorism-related charges,”
In the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Mansoor completed five uninterrupted years in a tiny isolation cell yesterday, deprived of any meaningful engagement with other prisoners. International law deems prolonged solitary confinement for more than 15 days as amounting to torture.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
23rd March 2022