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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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Qatar: Little Progress on Protecting Migrant Workers
Qatari authorities’ efforts to protect migrant workers’ right to accurate and timely wages have largely proven unsuccessful, Human Rights Watch said in a report and an accompanying video released today. Despite a handful of reforms in recent years, withheld and unpaid salaries, as well as other wage abuses, are persistent and widespread across at least 60 employers and companies in Qatar.
Japan: Child Abuse in Pursuit of Olympic Medals
Host of 2021 Summer Games Should Undertake Urgent Systemic Reforms (Tokyo) – Child athletes in Japan suffer physical, sexual, and verbal abuse when training for sport, Human Rights Watch said in a new report, released today, that documents depression, suicides, physical disabilities, and lifelong trauma resulting from the abuse. Japan will host the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics beginning July […]
China 2022: IOC Should Uphold Human Rights
Planning for the 2022 Olympics needs to address key human rights issues, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. While Beijing’s May 2020 “Sustainability Plan” refers to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the document remains silent on human rights, labor standards, freedom of expression and association, LGBTI rights, media and internet freedom, rights to peaceful assembly and of association, transparency and anti-corruption.
Requirements for Human Rights, Labour Rights, Anti-Corruption and Stakeholder Involvement for Asian Cup 2027 Bidding Procedure
As the AFC prepares for the close of bids for the 2027 Asian Cup, the SRA would like to know what have been the mitigation measures already taken by the AFC to ensure that human rights are fully respected in the bidding for, as well as organization and delivery of, this event.
Letter to The Premier League re Saudi Arabia PIB takeover of Newcastle United
Mr Richard MastersChief ExecutiveThe Premier League57 North Wharf RoadLondon W2 1 HQ 20 April 2020 Dear Mr Masters, Re: Saudi Arabia PIB takeover of Newcastle United I am writing to you about the proposed acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC) by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. I want to draw your attention to the […]
Sport & Rights Alliance Backs Human Rights Advisory Board Call for FIFA to be Accountable on Human Rights
FIFA should back its 2017 Human Rights Policy by ensuring accountability, transparency and remedy at the highest levels of football, a landmark report by FIFA’s independent human rights advisory board has recommended.
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 […]