Protest Includes Attack On Consultant In UK

A London-based human rights group is attacking Farnborough International Limited for its role as a consultant to organizers of the 2012 Bahrain International Airshow, which is underway now through Saturday, and is calling for a boycott of the show.

The Bahrain Freedom Movement has called for the show to be canceled after demonstrators were killed by the government during pro-democracy protests in Bahrain during 2011. Spokesman Sunnah Akhtar declared, "Due to the widespread political unrest in the country and the number of deaths of peaceful demonstrators, we call for the boycott of the 2012 Bahrain Airshow. The air show should be boycotted in light of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry that found government officials had committed a number of human rights violations during the crackdown of pro-democracy protesters. A government that has been found guilty of using excessive force and torture should not be allowed to host such an event."

Freedom Movement, based in London, is showing solidarity by calling out Farnborough for its role in organizing the show. The firm replies, "Farnborough International Limited are engaged as consultants to the Civil Aviation Authority in Bahrain, organizers of the Bahrain International Airshow. Therefore the decision as to whether or not the show should go ahead does not lie with Farnborough International Ltd."

The Bahrain government has admitted to the use of excessive force during last year's demonstrations.

FMI: www.bahraininternationalairshow.com