Human rights campaigners have urged Formula 1 management to "cancel next week's Bahrain Grand Prix," accusing the country's rulers of using the race to "whitewash" abuses and "improve their image abroad," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Bahrain's biggest sporting event is watched by a "worldwide audience of millions" and has been held since '04, with the exception of '11, "when violent civil unrest forced its cancellation." The rights groups said in a letter to Formula 1 Chair Chase Carey, Managing Dir, Commercial Operations Sean Bratches and Managing Dir Ross Brawn, "Concerted and visible action is now required from Formula One, consistent with its commitment to human rights. We call on you to suspend this year's race in view of the alarming situation in the country." The letter, also addressed to the CEO of F1 sponsor Heineken, was sent by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, Bahrain Institute for Rights & Democracy, Article 19 and Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain. Activists "recognized privately, after a media briefing, that they did not expect the call to be heeded" (REUTERS, 4/6).
