Online Workshop: Exploring Impacts and Protections for Athletes who Speak Up for Human Rights
According to the United Nations, Human Rights Defenders are defined as “…individuals, groups, and associations contributing to the effective elimination of all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples and individuals…” The 1998 Declaration on Human Rights Defenders – adopted by consensus in the General Assembly – clearly outlines specific protections that human rights defenders should be able to access.
Human rights defenders come from all genders, regions, and professional backgrounds, including the world of sports. However, the connection between sport and human rights is still not always recognized – and long-held beliefs that sport should be “politically neutral” and “autonomous” keep sport governing bodies from recognizing athletes’ rights to freedom of expression and opinion.
Athletes who advocate for issues such as gender and racial equality, LGBTI+ inclusion, or labour rights – or even when they disclose experiences of abuse – are often met with retaliation and significant personal and professional risk. But as UN High Commissioner Volker Turk stated last year: “When athletes use their voice to promote equality in sport, they are human rights defenders.” And that means they deserve special protections.
The primary goal of this workshop is to discuss the reality athletes face when they speak up and discuss practical measures that sport governing bodies and stakeholders can take to ensure that athlete human rights defenders are appropriately recognized and protected.
**Stay tuned for more details and how to register.**
