Man-to-man deaths in Bahrain send Hamilton a new drawing

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) – The son of a man on death row in Bahrain has again sent a drawing to seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, still hopeful the British driver can help his father save his life.

Ahead of the season-opening F1 race in Bahrain, Ahmed proudly stopped drawing Hamilton’s famous number 44 Mercedes car along with his own words of hope: “Sir Lewis, another F1 where my innocent father was sentenced to death Help him get rid of it.

The 12-year-old boy is the son of Mohammed Ramadhan, a former member of the Bahrain security forces facing the death penalty.

The drawing was shown to the Associated Press by Ahmed, who was accompanied by his mother Zainab Ebrahim as they spoke during an interview on Thursday in Bahrain. Ahmed spoke softly as he spoke as to why he had drawn it.

“I made this drawing to encourage Lewis,” he said. Composing himself with a deep breath, he added, “There are many stories that can affect Lewis and can help change that.”

Hamilton said he had not yet seen the drawing, which was also sent to his team.

“But every year I get letters from those who are suffering, and all I can do is try to empathize my hardest with those who face these challenges and tell these tragic stories,” Hamilton said Friday at the Bahrain Grand Prix. “I think the weight of change really needs to be placed on governments and those in power. Therefore, we must continue to use the platforms we have, even when we arrive in these countries, to ensure that that they have serious conversations about what happened there.

Hamilton has previously said that F1 is “obliged” to raise awareness about human rights wherever it goes. But he says drivers should also push for a lasting change.

“We have platforms to try to raise awareness. There are amazing organizations out there on the ground that are fighting for human rights and I support those,” Hamilton said. “But there is a lot of work to be done, the world is in chaos. We have seen more displacement of refugees than ever before, not only in Ukraine but in Syria and Yemen.

Ahmed had previously drawn Hamilton’s car and sent it to the British star, hoping it could have an impact on his father’s future.

Ahmed, 12, son of Mohammed Ramadhan, a former member of the Bahrain security forces who faces the death penalty in Bahrain, holds a drawing he made of F1 driver Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 car in Manama, Bahrain, on Thursday , March 17th. 2022. Before the Sunday opening of the F1 race in Bahrain, Ahmed proudly held the drawing of Hamilton’s famous number 44 Mercedes car along with his own words of hope: “Sir Lewis, another F1 where my innocent father on is the death penalty. Help him get away. ” (AP Photo)

His father was one of three alleged torture victims who personally wrote to Hamilton in November 2020.

Mohammed Ramadhan detailed how he was arrested after supporting Bahrain’s pro-democracy uprising, and was then allegedly framed in a murder case and beaten with iron bars to extract his confession.

After reading these letters, Hamilton promised not to ignore the plight to improve human rights in Bahrain and other countries where F1 races.

“Lewis is the best,” Ahmed said, smiling horribly when asked what he thought of Hamilton’s continued efforts. “I was very pleased to hear Lewis say that he is willing to help those in need.”

Ahmed’s mother hopes Hamilton’s voice will grow louder for those who need it most.

“Lewis has an influence and he can talk to his friends, and he can influence the Bahraini government to re-examine and talk about victims,” ​​she said as she sat next to her son. “Perhaps find justice for their cases.”

For Zainab Ebrahim and her three children, visits to the prison are rare and, as she explains tiredly, so restrictive that she can barely touch a finger on her father’s hand, even to feel the slightest connection with him.

“It’s very difficult to be here without her father. When her father was arrested, Ahmed was four years old and the twins were two, “she said.” This greatly affected her psychology. They cried a lot, got excited. They always ask about their father.

Hamilton has inspired other alleged torture survivors such as Najah Yusuf and Ali AlHajee, the other two who wrote to Hamilton in November 2020.

AlHajee is in Jau Prison, 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the track where Hamilton ran on Sunday.

Hamilton has been trending in prison in a unique way.

“Inmates started writing or drawing ‘Sir 44’ or ‘Lewis 44’ on their clothes, which we wear as support during the race,” AlHajee wrote to Hamilton recently. “Prisoners see you not only as a world champion in sports, but as someone who defends their human rights.”

Hamilton was aware as he read about it.

“I never in a million years thought I would have this kind of impact on people, especially in these positions, some of them with horrific stories fighting against a difficult system,” Hamilton said. “I’m really trying to hold serious talks in the background to improve the system for those who are currently in prison. It’s not an easy line to go, it’s dangerous, it’s challenging, it’s difficult relationships. But for me what matters is to see a better future.

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