Bahrain Violence: Calls For F1 Race To Be Axed

Human rights abuses are still going on in Bahrain leading to calls for this weekend's Grand Prix to be cancelled, Amnesty International has said.

The campaign group has said security forces are using excessive and unnecessary force against anti-government protesters.

Ongoing reports of the torture and ill-treatment of demonstrators, who have been involved in clashes with police, were also being reported, it said.

Amnesty International said it had evidence of people being kept in prison for participating in anti-government protests without using violence.

"With the world's eyes on Bahrain as it prepares to host the Grand Prix, no one should be under any illusions that the country's human rights crisis is over," said Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa deputy director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

"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."

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has called on Grand Prix organisers to pull the plug on the event, saying that proceeding would "send the wrong signal".

Practice for the race is scheduled to begin on Friday, with the main race taking place on Sunday.

"To go ahead at present risks sending the wrong signal at a time when the authorities in Bahrain should be focused on delivering real reform," Mr Alexander said.

The latest skirmishes took place in Salmabad, a village six miles from the centre of Manama and 11 miles north of the Bahrain International Circuit (Bic) where the race is due to be held.

And two protesters have camped out on the roof of the Bahraini Embassy in London after climbing to the summit of the building displaying flags and a banner on Monday.