West must find moral compass over Bahrain

West must find moral compass over Bahrain
10/06/2011 – 3:15 p | Hits: 25

After a week of condemnation in which even Bernie Ecclestone cowed, the Bahrain Grand Prix again looks doomed.

FIA chiefs met in Barcelona last week with a human rights report on the kingdom that might have been written by the Bahraini Government, for all the light it shone on the fractured society. The event has been restored to the calendar in murky circumstances but the teams are refusing to race. Belatedly, the sport has rediscovered its moral compass. Western governments are having trouble locating theirs.
The Bahraini Crown Prince arrived in Washington this week as part of a charm offensive that has included an ill-advised handshake on the steps of No 10 with David Cameron, right Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has been chided for his Government’s crackdown on protesters but Bahrain’s Western allies still appear unwilling to demand concrete action.
Bahrain remains a key strategic ally in the Gulf and the family provide a bulwark against Iranian expansionism. Britain also has a cosy relationship with the regime. In April a new generation of Bahrainis graduated from Sandhurst military academy, including Sheikh Salman’s son.
The trials at Bahrain’s military court however, are an affront to the Prince’s fine words on universal rights.
London and Washington must demand that the court be disbanded. Without this talk of reconciliation is futile. Sheikh Salman must also demand it. Among opposition groups he is seen as the country’s only hope.
Instead of reassuring the White House and No 10 of his commitment to human rights he must prove it to his people. …more