German-based Bahraini Activist Rips Green Light For F1 Race

Berlin, April 18, IRNA -- A German-based Bahraini activist on Wednesday lashed out at the decision of Grand Prix organizers to go ahead with the controversial Formula One show, scheduled for April 22 in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom. Karima Ebrahim said in an interview with IRNA that staging the Formula One race in Bahrain would only give 'legitimacy to the (al-Khalifa) regime' amid mounting popular protests. 'How can they hold such a race when the situation in Bahrain is so miserable,' she asked. 'I oppose this race which is not good for the Bahraini people ...,' Ebrahim added. She pointed out the prestigious race was taking place amid the regime's desperate attempts to secure its 'survival.' By hosting the F1 event, the Bahraini regime is trying to say to the world: Look I can control everything, according to the Bahraini pro-democracy activist. Ebrahim predicted mass demonstrations throughout the kingdom on the day of the F1 race, saying it was the right of the people 'to protest' the event. 'They (the people) have to do this. This is a chance. People cannot be deprived of their right (to protest),' she went on to say. Ebrahim reiterated the Bahraini people did no longer trust the regime. The Al-Khailifa regime has reportedly clamped down hard on Bahrain's opposition in recent days aimed at preventing widescale unrest ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. News of the crackdown coincided with a statement from Amnesty International (AI) which said it was getting credible reports of the use of torture in the Persian Gulf Arab state despite empty promises of reform. 'The authorities are trying to portray the country as being on the road to reform, but we continue to receive reports of torture and use of unnecessary and excessive force against protests,' AI was quoted saying in a statement. 'Their reforms have only scratched the surface,' it added. Bahrain is preparing up to host the ritzy Grand Prix on April 20-22, an event that was cancelled last year because of unrest and one Manama hopes will help improve its severely tarnished global image./end