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Get the latest news and updates from our partners on the human rights issues in and around the world of sport.
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Sport’s COVID-19 Response Should Include All Athletes
Sport & Rights Alliance, World Players Urge Transparency, Rights in Decisions (Nyon, Switzerland, March 20, 2020) — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and global sport organizations have a responsibility to demonstrate the highest standards of transparency, consultation and citizenship as the world addresses the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) and the World Players Association […]
China: FIFA Broke Own Rules for Club World Cup
FIFA Sidelines Human Rights, Keeps Beijing Hosting Arrangements Secret (New York) – FIFA’s surprise selection of China to host the 2021 Club World Cup disregarded its own human rights commitments in the bidding process, Human Rights Watch said today, releasing correspondence with the global football governing body. In March 2019, FIFA abolished the Confederations Cup and used the available slot in the calendar […]
Letter: Adoption of an 8th Fundamental Principle of Olympism on Human Rights
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has now had more than four years to fully assess and understand its corporate responsibility to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). It is well past time for the IOC to commit to upholding respect for human rights and now implement this responsibility throughout the IOC’s entire enterprise and supply chain.
Qatar Dismantles Kafala System of Modern Slavery
Qatar’s programme of labour reforms today succeeded in dismantling the kafala system and heralding a modern industrial relations system. Exit visas for workers – including domestic workers, those in government and public institutions, and workers employed at sea, in agriculture as well as casual workers – have been eliminated. These workers have the same rights […]
Letter to the IOC: Adopt an Eighth Fundamental Principle of Olympism
As we’ve seen time and time again over this last year through cases of unimaginable abuse, gender and racial discrimination, silencing of athlete voices, threats to athlete safety and wellbeing, and restrictions on athletes’ ability to make a living – the ever changing and often arbitrary rules of sport continue to supersede the rights of athletes. Until the IOC places a priority on human rights within its policy framework and above all else, its Olympic Charter, this will continue to be the case.
Refugee Footballer Hakeem al-Araibi Freed
The ITUC has welcomed the release of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi from prison in Thailand and his return to his place of asylum, Australia. His release followed an unprecedented campaign led by sports players, their unions and the ITUC Australian affiliate ACTU, with governments, global unions, human rights groups and international sports federations FIFA and […]
Letter: International Olympic Committee “Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration”
Dr. Thomas BachPresidentInternational Olympic CommitteeAv Général-Guisan 701009 PullySwitzerland October 2, 2018 Dear President Bach, It has come to our attention that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may adopt the now titled “The Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration (Athletes’ Declaration)” this week at the 133rd IOC Session in Buenos Aires. While we support the intent of […]
Letter to IOC President Bach: Athlete rights are human rights
Dr. Thomas Bach President IOCAv Général-Guisan70 1009 PullySwitzerland cc. Kit McConnellIOC Sports DirectorSwitzerland cc. Kirsty CoventryChair of the IOC Athletes CommissionZimbabwe cc. Sarah WalkerIOC Athletes Commission member and Chair of the Steering Committee for the Athletes Charter of Rights and ResponsibilitiesNew Zealand Dear President Bach, When the Sport and Rights Alliance last met with you […]
Best Practices for Whistleblowing in Sport
What are good practices in establishing whistleblowing mechanisms in sports to combat corruption, match-fixing and other illegal and unethical practice in sports? Content Overview of corruption in sport Whistleblowing in sport Examples of good practices in whistleblowing in sports Further reading References Summary Sport is a sector that is particularly vulnerable to corruption, characterised by […]
ITUC, BWI and ITF Welcome End of Exit Permits for 1.5 Million Migrant Workers in Qatar
The ITUC, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have welcomed the announcement by Qatar on 4 September of new legislation which means migrant workers covered by the Labour Code will not have to seek their employer’s permission to leave the country. Law No. 13 of 2018 amends […]
FIFA – North America World Cup in 2026 a New Test for Human Rights
FIFA’s award of the 2026 World Cup to the “United” bid of Canada, Mexico and the USA will provide a further test of FIFA’s human rights commitments, with the inclusion of mandatory human rights requirements, including labour standards, in the bidding process. FIFA delegates meeting in Russia on 13 June chose the United bid ahead […]
Iran: FIFA Called on to Enforce Human Rights and non-Discrimination Policy
The International Trade Union Confederation, along with several union and civil society organisations, is calling on FIFA to ensure that its human rights policy is fully respected, and ensure that Iran ends its ban on women attending men’s football matches. The ITUC and the Building and Woodworkers’ International BWI, Human Rights Watch, the Centre for […]