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Episode details

World Service,19 Apr 2012,25 mins

Bahrain Formula 1

Assignment

Available for over a year

Formula 1 is back in Bahrain despite the ongoing political instability in the country. Last year's race was cancelled following months of pro-democracy demonstrations where activists took to the streets to challenge the rule of King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa. The government has admitted that mistakes were made in its handling of the unrest but says now it is time to move on and return to normality. One way to do that, it argues, is for people to unite around the prestige Formula 1 event. But as Bill Law reports for Assignment, there are many who believe that the government has not done nearly enough to address the grievances of the protestors. (Image: A woman and her child passes in front of anti-Formula 1 graffiti in the village of Barbar, west of Manama. Credit: Reuters)

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