It concluded that the allegations were false.
The Bahrain authorities have also refuted suggestions that foreign journalists
are not being allowed into the country ahead of the anniversary.
They point out that Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa commissioned a
fully independent report into last year’s uprising, which uncovered multiple
cases of human rights abuses, and is now acting upon its recommendations.
Nevertheless, the open letter, which was signed by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon,
Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Lord Alton, Lord Avebury, Baroness Falkner of
Margravine, Lord Hylton, Caroline Lucas and Lord Boswell, says that two
months after the report was published there has been “an entrenchment of the
positions of both sides”.
“Sir, We note with concern the decision by Formula One to go ahead with the
race in Bahrain scheduled for April,” it begins.
“The continued political crisis in Bahrain is a troubling source of
instability in the Gulf region, and the lack of any move towards political
reconciliation concerns those who wish to see Bahrain move in the direction
of greater democratic accountability.
“It was hoped that the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission
of Inquiry (BICI) would provide a starting point for political reform which
both government and opposition forces could agree upon.
“However, two months on we see an entrenchment of the positions of both sides
which risks letting more extreme voices dictate the progress of the
conflict.
“Given the current dire situation, with daily street protests and the deaths
of more civilians, we do not believe that the time is right for Formula One
to return to Bahrain.
“Bahrain is a major trading hub and financial centre in the Middle East but
this brings greater responsibility.
“Human rights and economic stability go hand in hand and the government
of Bahrain must do more to persuade international events and corporations
that Bahrain is a stable place to do business.
“Until it takes concerted measures to reform the electoral, penal and judicial
processes, international observers as well as ordinary Bahrainis can have
little confidence that Bahrain is on the path to reform and political
stability.
“We urge the FIA to reconsider its decision to continue with the race.”
Last month, Formula One’s chief executive Bernie Ecclestone suggested that the
troubles in Bahrain were nothing to be concerned about.
“Everyone talks a lot about this part of the world, but Bahrain is the
country in the region where there are the fewest problems,” he said in
an interview with the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.
Teams have so far said they will trust in the FIA and the commercial rights
holder to make the right decision on whether or not to attend the April 22
race.