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Bahrain, the next stop of the Formula 1 circus, is accused of sports washing. That makes the already clear world champion Lewis Hamilton react. – We in sports must do more for human rights, he says.
Lewis Hamilton during the press conference in Bahrain.
Now that the F1 circus has arrived in Bahrain for two racing weekends in a row, the issue of sports washing has become a hot topic.
It is a term used for strict regimes that use sporting events to manipulate the perception of the country while taking the focus off inappropriate human rights.
Formula 1 believes that you are a positive force for change when you compete in undemocratic countries like Bahrain. One group of human rights organizations, however, believes that the largest race series, instead, “provides invaluable publicity for the Bahraini government and risks normalizing violence against human rights in the country.” writes The Guardian.
Already clear world champion Lewis Hamilton, the only black driver in the sport of Formula 1, has a strong commitment to issues such as anti-racism, human rights and diversity.
– It is very important that all athletes use the platform they have to work for change. The issue of human rights is a major problem in as many places as we go. We are one of the few sports that go to so many different countries and I believe that in sports we must do more, ”said the Briton at the pre-race press conference on Sunday.
– We have taken steps in the right direction, but we can always do more.
Before the competitions in Bahrain, Hamilton received a letter from 17 human rights organizations. They call on Formula 1 to ensure that those who protest against human rights during F1 weeks are treated fairly and that sport does not contribute to aggravating the human rights situation in the country.
– I have not had time to read the letter properly, but I will definitely make sure to do so in the next few days, says Hamilton.
Furthermore, 30 British MPs have joined forces in a call ahead of the Bahrain F1 races, criticizing Formula One for doing too little about it.
“It is a deep disappointment that we have not seen any progress on the part of F1 when it comes to sports washing and Bahrain,” liberal Democrat Layla Moran told the BBC.
In 2011, the Formula 1 race in Bahrain had to be canceled due to massive demonstrations against the country’s ruling family, Al Khalifa. The race has been held annually since then.
Bahrain
Bahrain is located on several islands in the Persian Gulf and bases its economy on the extraction of oil and gas. The country has 1.6 million inhabitants.
Power ultimately rests with the Sunni Muslim Khalifa royal family, despite the majority of the inhabitants being Shiites. Many of them feel discriminated against and the regime has periodically resorted to harsh methods to keep the Shiite Muslim-dominated opposition in check. In the spring of 2011, the royal family managed to quell protests critical of the regime only after troops from neighboring countries within the cooperative organization GCC came to the rescue.
Source: Institute of Foreign Policy.
