Statements

Bahrain: Formula 1 (F1) Recycles assertions but must now make good on human rights promises

Posted on by Salam Media
14
Apr
  • London / Beirut
  • 13April 2025
  • Bahrain: Formula 1 (F1) Recycles assertions but must now make good on human rights promises

The elite Formula 1 race took place yesterday in Bahrain. Formula 1 celebrates the water efficiency programme at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir; the use of solar power and shade stations that feature recycled egg cartons, chairs and loudspeakers as part of the organisation’s efforts to achieve net zero by 2030. Its social media asserts that F1 aims to “leave a positive legacy wherever we race”. In Bahrain, in respect to human rights, it must now address this objective.

A cross section of Bahraini society have been enjoying activities surrounding the F1, including today’s Bahrain Grand Prix: the event has enjoyed rising attendance numbers. Affluent individuals and those linked to corporate interests can enjoy the benefits associated with the Paddock Club, whose name connects the erent to Bahrain’s equestrian past.

But for scores or even hundreds of Bahrainis, the much recycled Statement of Commitment to Respect for Human Rights stands only as F1’s commitment to sportswashing. 

In 2020, Salam for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR) wrote directly, via email, and issued an open letter to F1 calling on it to suspend holding the Formula 1 motor race in Bahrain until the government acts on long standing human rights violations. No part of the global organisation, for all its assertions, contacted SALAM DHR in relation to its recommendations. SALAM DHR followed up and contacted different parts of the organisation seven times. F1 agents never contacted SALAM DHR.

Despite significant prisoner releases in 2024, the Government of Bahrain (GoB) continues to hold political prisoners (up to 360); there continue to be allegations of unfair and arbitrary arrest and unfair trial, along with instances of alleged ill treatment in custody in both pre and post trial contexts. F1 officials must now take action to ensure that it can and does “leave a positive legacy wherever we race”. 

The organisation appears to continue to ignore global expressions on concern, including the 2024 appeal by 27 organisations, including ARTICLE19 and the April 2025 appeals and actions from  The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) BIRD noted the danger posed to Bahrainis if they were to speak out in their own names. 

SALAM DHR calls on F1 to address the concerns set out by SALAM DHR in 2020, those of 27 organisations in 2024 and BIRD in 2025. On account of F1 apparent serial failure to address human rights concerns, SALAM DHR makes only one call to the organisation: reach out to those organisations that have engaged the F1 in relation to human rights, especially in Bahrain, to speak with us and address our concerns and set out what the F1 can and cannot do to advance human rights in the country.