British Lawmakers Urge President of Formula 1 to Stop "Sportswashing" in Azerbaijan

A group of British lawmakers and Armenian community leaders has united in a bold appeal to Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, urging him to stop allowing Azerbaijan to "sportswash" its human rights violations as the country continues to host the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix. The group argues that by holding such a high-profile event in Azerbaijan, Formula 1 is helping the nation distract the world from its abuses, particularly against Armenian political prisoners.

The letter, signed by several prominent British Members of Parliament (MPs) and Armenian community organizations, emphasizes that Azerbaijan is currently holding six Armenian political prisoners, all of whom are former leaders from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The prisoners are being held unlawfully, with no access to fair legal proceedings, and are being subjected to harsh conditions that violate both Azerbaijani and international laws. The signatories demand that Formula 1 take a stand for human rights and reconsider its involvement in Azerbaijan while these human rights violations continue.

The letter details the dire situation of the Armenian political prisoners, who have been denied basic rights such as access to independent international legal counsel and visitors. Furthermore, they are reportedly being mistreated, with no access to proper food or medical care, and no fair trial. These actions, the signatories argue, violate both domestic and international laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). 

The treatment of these prisoners, they say, is part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses in Azerbaijan, which they believe the country is attempting to hide through events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

"Sportswashing" refers to the practice of using sporting events to improve a country’s image and divert attention from human rights abuses or other negative actions. The signatories of the letter claim that this is precisely what Azerbaijan is doing by hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

"Formula 1’s presence risks distracting from Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses," the letter reads. "Formula 1 cannot claim to have a positive impact in Azerbaijan while these Armenian hostages remain imprisoned. Profits must not come at the expense of human rights."

By providing Azerbaijan with the global platform of Formula 1, the letter argues, the sport is inadvertently helping the regime clean up its international image while continuing to oppress political prisoners and violate human rights.

The group urges Formula 1 to use its influence to promote human rights and push for the release of the Armenian political prisoners. They call on Stefano Domenicali and the entire Formula 1 organization to stop enabling regimes like Azerbaijan from using sports to hide their wrongdoings.

"Formula 1 must stop enabling regimes like Azerbaijan to sportswash their crimes. By speaking out against this injustice and calling for the release of the Armenian political prisoners in Azerbaijan, Formula 1 can demonstrate its commitment to human rights in the countries it visits," the letter concludes.

The letter is backed by several influential voices from both the UK Parliament and the Armenian community.

SIGNATORIES:

• Alex Sobel MP (UK House of Commons)

• Andrew Rosindell MP (UK House of Commons)

• Chris Law MP (UK House of Commons)

• Baroness Cox (UK House of Lords)

• Lord Alton of Liverpool (UK House of Lords)

• Free Armenian Prisoners

• Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust UK

• Bishop Hovakim Manukyan (Primate of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland)

• Armenian Community Council of the UK

• Armenian National Committee UK

• Armenian General Benevolent Union London

• Armenian Youth

• Federation London

• Armenian Relief Society of GB

• The Armenian Institute

• Armenian Medical Association GB

• Armenian Relief Society of GB

• Armenian Medical Association GB

• Homenetmen London

• Armenian House

• Armenian Language Saturday School, London

• Hamazkayin UK

This appeal brings attention to the ongoing human rights abuses in Azerbaijan, particularly the plight of Armenian political prisoners. By continuing to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix, critics argue that Azerbaijan is using the sport to distract from its violations. The British lawmakers and Armenian leaders hope that their collective voice will encourage Formula 1 to take a stand, and that the international community will no longer turn a blind eye to these abuses.

The decision now rests with Formula 1’s leadership, as they face increasing pressure to align their global platform with values of justice and human rights.