ARTICLE 19 and 19 other organisations have written to the head of Formula 1 Racing ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix on 3 March 2023, urging the racing authority to stop using the event to project a positive image of the country – known as ‘sportswashing’ – against the backdrop of a deteriorating human rights environment in Bahrain.
In particular, the groups highlight the large number of political prisoners held in Bahrain, some of whom face imminent execution in violation of international law.
The organisations call on CEO Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 to use their leverage with Bahrain to persuade it to abide with human rights law and release political prisoners. They also urged them to consult with civil society groups with a view to improving human rights in Bahrain.