It is clear that Bahrain understands the need to try to rebuild its battered international image, following the apparently brutal repression that occurred there in February and March, when demonstrators asked for more democracy. Part of this process appears to be to try to convince the Formula 1 world – which played a key role in creating Bahrain’s former friendly image – that it wants to be associated with the kingdom. The sport needs to be very careful not to put itself into a position where it is being used to create the wrong impression. Some might even argue that this is what has already been done and F1 should steer clear of falling for the same thing twice.
The Bahrain authorities blame the international media for its new image, claiming that reporting of the protests was unfair. News organisation we have spoken to say that this is rubbish and that all they were doing was telling the story as it happened. Blaming the media is never a good step and tends to create bad feeling among the people who are creating images, and thus by going down this path Bahrain may be creating more problems than it is solving.
There was undoubtedly some pretty amateur propaganda coming out of Iran, in an effort to stir up trouble, but most of that was obvious. It is much harder to explain online video of police shooting demonstrators in cold blood and stories of torture, protesters have been sentenced to death, the arrest and trials of prominent mainstream opposition politicians, the jailing of medical staff, not to mention the recent purging of people from state-controlled businesses, particularly when the state-run news agency has reported that Bahrain Petroleum Co has fired nearly 300 employees for being absent from work when pro-democracy protests paralysed much of the kingdom.
The Justice Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa says that 23 doctors and 24 nurses will be put on trial on charges and claims that there is “hard evidence” to show that the Salmaniya Medical Complex was used extensively for the activities of saboteurs who sought to spread chaos, cause disruptions and troubles and create sedition within the kingdom. The opposition claims that the medical staff are being silenced to stop them revealing some of the atrocities that they claim occurred.
The Pearl Roundabout, that was occupied by protesters until it was cleared by the security forces, has been given the catchy new name of Gulf Cooperation Council Roundabout and the large elegant statue of a pearl has been demolished in an effort to stop it being used as a symbol for the protest movement.
Elsewhere theChristian Science Monitor, a multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning publication, known for its balanced reporting of the Middle East, says that the government has bulldozed dozens of mosques as part of a crackdown on Shiite dissidents, calling this “an assault on human rights that is breathtaking in its expansiveness”.
The government’s arguments are often rather difficult to accept. The head of the country’s armed forces has recently come up with the incredible theory that “young people were given pills which affected their minds and made them do unusual things” during the protests.
The country says that the state of emergency will end on June 1 but the army chief says that the armed forces from the GCC Peninsula Shield will remain in Bahrain “in anticipation of any foreign threat” and he warned that “to those who did not get the message, if you return we will come back stronger this time.” That does not just sound like a threat, it is a threat.
Bahraini opposition leaders pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday to charges of belonging to a terrorist group and attempting to overthrow the monarchy. Fourteen out of the 21 defendants appeared before a special court. Other defendants have left the country and are being tried in absentia.
Foreign governments are being decidedly wary of Bahrain’s claims.
“We continue to urge the Government of Bahrain to meet all its human rights obligations and uphold political freedoms, equal access to justice and the rule of law,” said the British Foreign Office. “Those who have been detained should now have full access to the due process of law. The Government of Bahrain should also take swift, concrete steps to carry out the investigations into alleged abuses by Bahraini security forces to which it has already committed.
“The announcement by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, that the State of National Safety in Bahrain will be removed on 1 June, is potentially a welcome step towards achieving longer term stability. We look forward to the practical actions that will support this move. The Bahrain Government’s recent announcement on accelerating the investigation into deaths in detention and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing is also welcome.”
It is worth noting that there is a sound reason why Bahrain wants to re-establish its image as quickly as possible. InterContinental Hotels Group has warned its shareholders that it expects recent events in the Middle East, Japan and New Zealand to negatively impact estimated full-year operating profits, citing “significant declines” in revenues in Bahrain, where it operates two properties, and Egypt, where there was also civil unrest. In short, the number of visitors to Bahrain has dropped significantly.
The key question is really whether or not the teams and sponsors involved in Formula 1 wish to be associated with the country, and whether or not the Bahrain authorities can guarantee that the event will go ahead without civil disorder breaking out and that there will be no physical threat to visitors, from the protesters or from the government.
Looking from the outside, it seems that trying to rush a return to Bahrain this year might suit the government there and might be easier for some in F1 because of contractual complications, but it would probably be wiser not to take any risks and wait to see how Bahrain looks in six months from now, when the F1 calendar for 2012 is being finalised.
Going back too early involves a lot of risks that are probably not worth taking.
joeblogsf1 
I’m afraid you illustrate Bahrain’s problems perfectly. The GCC roundabout was its original name, each leg of the statue representing one of the member states. “Pearl” Roundabout was the name given to it after the fact. There never has been a “Pearl Square”, except in the minds of imaginative journalists.
And the people you call “protestors” that have been sentenced to death repeatedly ran over a postrate policeman and then viciously assaulted his body. They are cop killers, plain and simple.
Watch the video here and see for yourself.
It’s this kind of sloppy reporting that paints the picture worse than it is.
These Iran-fuelled thugs are back in their cages where they belong, and it is safe to hold the race here for the majority of Bahrain residents who do not want these “protestors” running riot in the streets, and who have enjoyed the race in peace since 2004.
Harry,
You are rude and clearly completely biased in favour of the Bahrain regime. I could post several videos showing policemen shooting protesters in cold blood. So what? I am sure that there were some protesters who did get out of hand, but why was that? Because they were responding to the brutality of the security forces, which is clearly documented. I am allowing this post simply to prove that I am not biased. You are now banned from the blog for being insulting.
Fully agree with that Joe.
“The Pearl Roundabout, that was occupied by protesters until it was cleared by the security forces, has been given the catchy new name of Gulf Cooperation Council Roundabout”
Great name. Clearly the government has been taking this re-branding very seriously!
We all know F1 should stay away this year. I think lots of fans think F1 should stay away for good, the circuit was never exactly vintage…Such a shame to see a government being successful in their brutal repression, unfortunately it happens all over the world and its very difficult to do anything about it. Especially when bahrain’s neighbour is a very wealthy, powerful state which is also vital to global stability…and one which fully supports the autocratic regime.
“The key question is really whether or not the teams and sponsors involved in Formula 1 wish to be associated with the country,”
One team, McLaren, are heavily involved and associated with the country.
Joe, might rescheduling the race for November cause problems with ticket sales for the following year’s race? If Bahrain 2012 remains the opening race, how many people will want to see two F1 races at the same venue in the space of four months? If not, and the race is permanently scheduled at the end of the season, the previously mentioned issue of Abu Dhabi ticket sales cannibalisation will be a more pressing concern than it currently is. From a commercial point of view, it would seem to make more sense to drop this year’s race entirely, as rescheduling it will surely have implications for the success of next season’s event.
“Thirty people have died, from direct bullet wounds, or sustained injuries. Four activists have died in police detention as a result of torture.”
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2011/04/bahrains-brutal-crackdown/
bt52b
Do we know who is behind these people?
I wonder where this all leaves McLaren…
“The key question is really whether or not the teams and sponsors involved in Formula 1 wish to be associated with the country…”
what about journalists ? Do they want to be associated with covering an entertainment on a track soiled with blood ? It’s easy to put responsibility on others.
You could easily have doubled as a foreign correspondent.
“The key question is really whether or not the teams and sponsors involved in Formula 1 wish to be associated with the country,”
Not only the teams and sponsors but the paying punters too.
That there are still prosecutions/persecutions going on, no reforms seem to have happened and the King is still in power, is all against anyone wanting to visit Bahrain for any reason.
It’s all very well for Bernie to say that F1 takes no notice of politics, but it’s about time that he took his blinkers off and started to appreciate what the world will think of F1 if they go to Bahrain again before a change of regime has taken place. Let’s face it those in power will continue to use force to remain in power, so as far as I can see Bahrain will remain non persona for a long time.
Joe, your full-throated commentary on this is very much appreciated.
Consider the promises of this interview from 18 February:
http://tinyurl.com/3rybwj9
Does that comport with anything that’s happened in the country since? That was a *month* before the Pearl Square statue was demolished!
When dictators like these get left behind by Formula One, I kind of want to snicker…. These “royals” are very rich, and so they begin to think of themselves as businessmen instead of thugs. So when a phenomenally gifted capitalist like Bernie Ecclestone takes them for a ride, it’s their own damn fault for thinking of themselves as his equal.
But the reverse is true also: When Bernie (or Ron Dennis) gets into contracts with monsters like these, there’s no sympathy for collapsed “opportunities”.
Crid,
I am not sure that is entirely fair. The Crown Prince is very much a moderate and at a certain point he was given the chance to solve the problem. That did not happen and so the hardliners returned and imposed what they wanted.
Bravo Joe, I’m so glad you’re highlighting what’s been going on there, especially to the medical staff.
If F1 races there, I won’t be watching.
The Bahrain GP receives too much attention.
F1 should not go back. Bahrain will not change anytime soon despite expensive Public Relations companies trying to white wash what is a violent and repressive state.
The Bahraini King is strongly backed by the Saudis who sent in Tanks ! Until the Saudis run out of oil they have the west firmly by the “short and curlies,” — they can get away with anything and do. Added to this the USA needs the Naval base so its a slam dunk. No real change will occur in this environment.
Some races need to be dropped, and there is already a race in the Persian Gulf anyway.
Why isn’t this question dead in the water? What kind of vested interests think it is a *good* idea to go to Bahrain?
This all reads like an advertisement for someone else, anyone else, being in charge of which countries get to hold a race.
Having said that, if Abu Dhabi is putting money into the Exor/Murdoch/Daimler/McLaren/Mateschitz bid, I can see Na Marina being on the calendar for the next century or two. Yawn.
Thank you Saward,
As a Bahraini, Your article is more factual and clear than most professional foreign journalist.
From the 30 people that died one is a relative sniped while she was driving, another is a close friend who was beaten to death.
the video posted at the first comment is considered a joke in Bahrain, we call him the “plastic murder”. since people question if that is even a real body. the location and time (known from the video through the smoke coming out in the background from lulu roundabout) means it was IMPOSSIBLE for that to happen as that area was completely over-run by army and riot police. Nothing but cheap propaganda to divide and conquer the country by discrediting protestors.
An example at how cheap and idiotic the regime’s propaganda is can be found here, its a good laugh and a good read at online social phenomena’s
I’m banned from the blog for pointing out your ridiculous fucking tosh you mean.
Dear All,
By dodging his ban from this blog and writing a second unpleasant comment, Harry Barracuda has achieved three things:
1) He has highlighted that pro-government support in Bahrain comes from uneducated and abusive people who are unable to control themselves.
2) He has proved that the original assessment of him was entirely correct and that he deserved to be banned for being abusive.
3) He has got a friend banned as well by using their IP.
Well done Harry. Very constructive.
> The Crown Prince is very much a moderate
Credit a pissy American Heritage –Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence and all that– but it’s just not in my heart to think of ANY “Crown Prince” as moderate. Royalty is an inherently immoderate position… Especially the transparently bogus, Middle Eastern sort.
And now Harry Barracuda tells us it’s all a plot from the Persians. What to make of that?
Even if Harry’s wrong, and has the parties in the video transposed, we’re nonetheless looking at a scene of gruesome instability, a brutality well beyond the power of a passerby sports league to moderate.
As always, we have to give Bernie the time to play his strategy game, even as the odor is unbearable. There are contracts. He’s not necessarily a monster for trying protect the interests and appearances of his investors.
And it’s not a hideous track: Far from Tilke’s worst, with a convenient airport next door.
But I hope we’ve seen the last of it– T’ellwiddum. If the Prince were a truly nice man, we’d know.
Regarding Harry B. with you all the way, well said.
Harry Barracuda
nice to meet a Bahraini propaganda officer
kudos to you Joe for tossing the ugly in-your-face poster… the lack of civility of some here who don’t have a fraction of your credentials is remarkable.
@ Joe
Jonathan Dimbleby is chairman of the board of trustees of Index On Censorship
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/about-index-on-censorship/
Class answer to Mr. Harry the Bahraini hardliner Joe!
Keep up the great work, love it.
Well done Joe,
YOUR blog is one of a small number that are written by journalists with integrity. Keep the standards high and do not let petty arguments or views such as Harrys any space whatsoever. Regular users respect yourself and your blog, lets keep it that way boys and girls.
All hail Saward The Great!!!!!!!
Right, it would be wrong to have a race in Bahrain so soon after the outbreak of demonstrations and the following cruelties of the regime. I agree.
But, how one calculates a “decent enough delay” of F1’s return to a troubled country? What are the parametres of the “decency formula” that for example allowed for the South African GP to be held under the infamous apartheid regime for many years? We may well ignore the distant past and concentrate on more recent and comparably modern times, i.e. the Chinese GP (since 2004). Do the name Tiananmen and the year 1989 ring a bell?
Joe you express some correct sentiments but I must respectfully suggest that your knowledge on Bahrain is lacking and not to the level of your undoubted F1 knowledge. You make the same incorrect assumptions that has led our Prime Minister to engage in the Libyan folly that is not at the end of the day going to further the cause of the moderate Arab. All the West’s folly does is create a vacuum into which extremists flood and set back the cause of Arab freedom by decades.
In your case I would respectfully suggest it is wrong to condemn too harshly what you see in Bahrain from afar without some historical context which you have not given. My wife was born in Bahrain, was evacuated from said country several times, once in the back of a Hercules of the RAF as the same group of despots attempted to forcibly take control of the country.
We are NOT seeing something new, but the opportunistic action of a small group led by Iran who are very clever in convincing others to do their bidding, a situation that is designed to confuse the casual observer.
I could go on and on, but whilst discussion on weather the Grand Prix should be held later this year is valid, judging what is going on at ground level without proper historical knowledge is not going to do your reputation any favours.
My own opinion is perhaps it is too soon, only because we in the West are currently led by Donkeys with a press that on the whole demonstrates the investigative intellect of a sheep.
What Bahrain needs is a supportive West, not one who rushes to judgement.
petermg,
WIth respect, I fully understand the historical context to the problems of Bahrain – and I have no vested interest. The fact of the matter is that the people of Bahrain have a right to self-determination, but there is no mechanism for them to have their say. The root of the recurring unrest would seem to be the imbalance between Shia and Sunni Muslims, but the reality is very different: Bahrain is a state that exists in its current form simply because the ruling classes are supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia, who have strategic and corporate interests in maintaining the status quo. The land of liberty does not want liberty and justice for all in Bahrain. This is why the Obama Administration has officially turned a blind eye to what has been going on since the problems in February/March. It made noises suggesting that the King and his supporters should not use such violence, but when they continued to do so, it shut up, stuck its fingers in its ears and starting going “la-la-la-la-la” loudly so that it could not hear what was happening. The population in Bahrain is not being allowed to express its wishes and that is the problem. If the ruling minority refuses to change the system then the problem is not going to go away.
It is also up to them to convince the “sheep” and “donkeys” of the international community – be that governments, businesses or media – that the authorities there are doing the right thing to try to correct the excesses that have taken place (on both sides) and show that the country is behaving in a way that is acceptable in the civilised world. You may think that the world is filled with stupid people, but I wholeheartedly disagree. They are a lot of very intelligent people working in the media and in government and I think that you are being wildly simplistic to typify them all as being sub-standard. The serious media in the world – the sensible and independent sources – are all saying the same thing. Why is that? Are the Iranians so much better at winning the propaganda war? If that is true why can Bahrain not find better calibre people to get the message across? Even then the spin-doctors are not going to get rid of the problem.
All I am doing is making as fair and as honest as assessment as I can of the situation. If the government does what is right and fair, then perhaps there is a case for a Grand Prix in the future, but from I am seeing at the moment I can see no justification for a race in the near-future.
Joe I don’t for a second condone violence anywhere, but if you can demonstrate just one successful transition of a mixed Shia and Sunni Arab society to peaceful secular democratic union I would be surprised. The demonstrations may have been conducted by people who spouted all the political clichés we in the west like to hear, but behind it all are people who only wish to see Bahrain turn into a country ruled not by a benevolent Monarch, Sultan call it what you like, but by a religious council, with a sham of democratic front end. And the people behind these demonstrations never put themselves in the limelight. This is another difference between demonstrating in the West and how it is done in the Middle East, and lost on most reporters.
The people of Bahrain in the main know this and it is why they and other small Arab countries have such difficulty moving to what we in the west consider democracy. I have lived and worked out in the middle east, mostly Saudi, and listened to many an Arab wishing they had a more equitable Secular society. However many realise this would not come without the entire region descending into a civil war based on religious values.
If you could eliminate religion from the mix then progress could be made, but I’m afraid that I don’t see this happening any time soon.
And whilst everyone has the right to self determination, no one living under Arab Muslim rule anywhere currently has that freedom.
When I was young Joe I would have stood up and argued the same case you are. But the world has changed and we in the west have lost much of our moral authority. Not only this we ourselves have sleepwalked into rule by decree in our own country, with real democracy but a shadow of what it once was. We in the UK have much to put right for our own good before we start telling others what to do.
The MSM have let us down badly. They are getting worse which is not good for anyone. I come to your Blog because I believe you provide some of the best and most insightful information on Formula 1. You allow us to see the wood for the trees in what these days of large manufacturers can be a dense jungle of miss-information.
Having followed Formula 1 since the great Kiwi racers, Hulme Mclaren and Amon I think I can tell knowledge on this subject from fluff. What I wish we had is some really informed writing on the middle east that was more accessible to the majority of people in the UK and as informative as your blog is on Formula 1.
Petermg
Try the Christian Science Monitor.
Petermg try reading this article and think about its impact on the issue at hand in Bahrain
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67855/justin-gengler/how-radical-are-bahrains-shia?cid=soc-twitter-snapshots-how_radical_are_bahrains_shia-051611
To me that looks like Bahraini Shia are very far away from extreme Islamism, even further than Sunni Bahraini. But all have nots are fed up with having no influence.
BasCB,
Foreign Affairs is a very serious and sensible journal. I used to subscribe.
BasCB Thank you for the link. It may not be so apparent from what I have written above but this survey agrees to a degree with what I say. As a family we have strong links to Bahrain, and have been deeply saddened by what we see happening and the violent suppression.
Long term it always causes more people to radicalise. However there is a deep historical mistrust between Sunni and Shia that must be broken down. Think Northern Ireland and then multiply it 10 fold. The key is Iran and it’s claim that Bahrain belongs to them. And remember the issue is not amongst individuals, its a collective type issue that often defies understanding.
I stand by what I said, that what may have started out as genuine and legitimate protest, encouraged no doubt by the presence of western press, and stirred ever so subtly by Iran turned sour.
When you work in the middle east you get a sense of how they do things. What may take me as an engineer minutes to figure out, will often take them days to accept. Often you get the sense they would rather talk the issue into submission rather than get on with the actual work. This is their way and is why so many westerners come to grief when working out there. Its why I say above; all is not how it appears and progress to our eyes will always be painfully slow.
The people I worked with would joke with me that they could always out last me when it came to do making decisions. And even when I knew what they were doing and they knew I knew I never got the better of them. It was my understanding of their culture that always let me down. They were often totally wrong about things and would win the discussion, and do the wrong thing. Funny thing was I still got the blame. You have got to experience it to understand it.
If the Arabs wanted peace for the Palestinians it would have happened by now. But for some reason that I can not fathom they don’t support them, or coach them on making peace. Its as if they use them as part of their eternal waiting game of who can last the longest, and who is the most patient. They know it is not us in the West.
Those that are not supporters of the west do always make one fatal error. They always underestimate the moment and the strength of our response when we are pushed too far. Its all in the history of the area.