Bahrain blood on tracks – Labour Ed Miliband says, “Grand Prix in Bahrain should not go ahead”

Bahrain Grand Prix should not go ahead, says Ed Miliband
20 April, 2012 – BBC

Labour leader Ed Miliband: “Given the violence we’ve seen… I don’t think the Grand Prix should go ahead”

Labour leader Ed Miliband has said the Grand Prix in Bahrain should not go ahead, amid continuing protests against the government.

He said the race should be stopped due to “human rights abuses” and urged the government to “make its view clear”.

Amnesty International says Bahrain faces a “human rights crisis”.

Prime Minister David Cameron said peaceful protests should be allowed – but reform had begun in Bahrain and it was a matter for Formula 1.

Mr Miliband’s intervention comes after his shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, called on British Formula 1 drivers such as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to boycott Sunday’s race.
‘Weigh in’

The Labour leader told journalists the government could “weigh in and express its view” to put pressure on Formula 1 to stop the race going ahead.

“Given the violence we have seen in Bahrain, given the human rights abuses, I don’t believe the Grand Prix should go ahead and I hope that the government will make its view clear and say the same.”
A woman and boy walk past graffiti urging the boycott of the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix (18 April 2012) Unrest on the island forced the cancellation of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix

But Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It’s a matter for Formula 1, but let me be clear, we always stand up for human rights and it’s important that peaceful protests are allowed to go ahead.

“But I think we should be clear that Bahrain is not Syria, there is a process of reform underway and this government backs that reform and wants to help promote that reform.”
‘Blood on tracks’

However, Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron echoed calls for the race to be stopped, saying “it endorses and legitimises the regime”.

And Respect MP George Galloway said: “There is blood on the tracks and anyone who drives over them will never be forgiven.”
Bahrain Grand Prix circuit Protesters plan three ‘days of rage’ to disrupt the Bahrain Grand Prix

Protests against the government have been going on for more than a year.

This week Bahraini security forces fired stun grenades at protesters in the capital Manama, 25 miles away from the race circuit.

Last year’s race was cancelled after 35 people were killed during demonstrations.

On Wednesday, members of one team, Force India, were caught up in clashes between protesters and security forces. The four mechanics had to flee when petrol bombs were thrown near their car. …more