After the violent crackdown of the 2011 uprising, the Bahraini government promised reforms in the face of heavy international criticism and “pledged to hold accountable members of the security forces responsible for violations against protesters”. However, Amnesty calls the reforms “inadequate” and said they “failed to provide justice for victims of human rights violations”. AI also reported to continuously reports on the use of torture and excessive use of force against regime critics.
In addition to Amnesty International, other human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the decision of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to go ahead with the Formula One Grand Prix in Bahrain 22 April 2012. Human Rights Watch said that this “gives Bahrain’s rulers the opportunity they are seeking to obscure the seriousness of the country’s human rights situation” and it is “part of a major public relations campaign to clean up Bahrain’s image”.
Amnesty International: Bahrain: Reforms risk appearing hollow as violations continue
Amnesty International (2012) Report: Flawed reforms: Bahrain fails to achieve justice for protesters
Human Rights Watch: Bahrain: Grand Prix Decision Ignores Abuses
