BAHRAIN: BLOOD ON THE TRACK

Protests demanding government reforms in Bahrain began on 14 February 2011 and unrest continues. Last year’s violent crackdown resulted in the cancellation of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix, and desperate to improve the country’s international image, the government, led by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa have been feverishly working to ensure that the 2012 race takes place.

Despite Formula 1’s Bernie Ecclestone claiming that everything is “peaceful” in the Kingdom, violent protests and allegations of state brutality have marked the tense lead up to the race but the government and Formula 1 insist it will go ahead this weekend.

Here is timeline of the controversial sporting fixture.

1 14 February 2011: Protesters gather around Pearl Roundabout in Manama, Bahrain’s capital, to call for democratic reforms. The initial government crackdown was violent, and foreign news media’s access to the country was restricted

2 21 February 2011: Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa announces the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for 13 March, in order to focus on “healing” after the crackdown on protesters. The Crown Prince spearheaded the Formula One race and construction of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), where the race takes place

3 16 March 2011: Protesters camped at Pearl Roundabout are cleared out. Two days later the symbol of Bahrain’s anti-government protests, Pearl monument, is demolished

4 March/April 2011: Staff members from the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), venue of the Bahrain Grand Prix, are dismissed for participating in protests. Staff members were also reportedly arrested and tortured on 7 April

5 8 April 2011: Bahrain Center for Human Rights founder Abdulhadi Alkhawaja arrested from his home. Family members allege the activist was “brutally beaten” during the arrest

6 3 June 2011: Following a fact-finding mission sent by the FIA - Formula One’s organisational body - FIA leaders rescheduled the canceled Grand Prix to 30 October 2011

7 9 June 2011: Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled again after criticism from motorsports fans, local activists, and the international community

8 22 June 2011: Eight Bahraini activists, including Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, and opposition leaders jailed for life. Thirteen others are sentenced to between two and 15 years' imprisonment

9 20 September 2011: Twenty medics who treated injured protesters are sentenced to between five and 15 years in prison, sparking international outcry

10 28 November 2011: The Bahrain Independent Commission for Inquiry report is launched. The BICI was created to investigate whether or not human rights were violated in country’s crackdown on protests. Its report recommends that employees sacked for protesting be reinstated

11 January 2012: Twenty-nine of the fired BIC staffers have yet to return to their positions. Only three have been able to return to their roles

12 February 2012: A year on from the beginning of Bahrain’s unrest, members of international human rights organisations and media are barred from entering the country. A planned return to the Pearl Roundabout by activists is also stopped by security forces

13 28 March 2012: Bahrain Center for Human Rights is awarded Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression award for Advocacy. On the day of the ceremony, BCHR founder Abdulhadi AlKhawaja neared his 50th day of hunger strike

14 3 April 2012: Citizen journalist Ahmed Ismael Hassan al-Samadi is shot and killed during a peaceful protest. It is believed al-Samadi was targeted for having a video camera

15 3 April 2012: Bernie Ecclestone announced that the race would go ahead, dismissing reports of unrest by claiming that things were “quiet and peaceful” in Bahrain

Bahrain Centre for Human Rights estimates that over 70 people have been killed since the start of unrest last year. Former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, John Yates said on 18 April that security couldn’t be guaranteed at the race, and added that live rounds would be used by police if necessary. Stun grenades and tear gas have been reportedly used to break up protests in Bahrain's capital on 19 April.