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Hijab Bans in Olympic Host Country: Athletes Call on IOC to Act
At the 45-day countdown to the start of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics on June 11, 2024, the Sport & Rights Alliance, Basket Pour Toutes, Amnesty International, Athlete Ally and Human Rights Watch hosted a media briefing to present their request that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) publicly call on French sporting authorities to overturn […]
2023 Annual Report: A New Era for Sport and Human Rights
Human Rights Can No Longer Be Ignored by the World of Sport “After years of fighting for global sport to recognize its impact and responsibility toward human rights, the year 2023 ushered in a new era – an era where human rights can no longer be ignored by sport governing bodies,” writes Andrea Florence, director […]
France: Ensure Muslim Women, Girls Can Play Sports
On International Women’s Day, Global Call to End Hijab Ban in French Basketball (Nyon, Switzerland, March 8, 2024) – French basketball authorities should ensure equal access to sport for Muslim women and girls by overturning the discriminatory ban on wearing the hijab, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. On International Women’s Day, The Alliance […]
Sparking Change at Play the Game 2024: Reflections from the Sport & Rights Alliance
The 13th edition of the Play the Game conference held in Trondheim, Norway, this February, brought together academics, journalists, athletes, human rights defenders and other stakeholders in the sports world to discuss the most pressing issues in international sport. The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) participated in the forum with a robust delegation, with representatives […]
Our Pledge on the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Sport & Rights Alliance pledges our utmost support for human rights – and commits to continue the work toward freedom, equality and justice for all. As the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights says, “Pledging is both […]
Olympics: Human Rights Amendments Should Be Implemented Without Exceptions
IOC Set to Vote on Proposed Changes to Olympic Charter (Nyon, Switzerland, 9 October 2023) – After years of public pressure and internal deliberations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to adopt amendments to the Olympic Charter in the coming days that include potentially game-changing references to internationally recognized human rights, the Sport & […]
Olympic Committee’s Rights Commitments Tested in India
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is holding its 140th annual session from October 15 to 17 in Mumbai, India, where the government is expected to announce its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games in the western state of Gujarat. India has never hosted the Olympics and the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that now is […]
Japan Passes Law to ‘Promote Understanding’ of LGBT People
Fight Continues for Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Legislation In June, the Japanese Diet, the national legislature of Japan, passed its first-ever law on sexual orientation and gender identity. It seeks to “promote understanding” and avoid “unfair discrimination.” The law states that “all citizens, irrespective of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, are to be respected as individuals […]
Olympics: Act on Sex Abuse Complaints by Indian Athletes
Sport & Rights Alliance Calls for Independent Investigation After Protesters Detained (Nyon, Switzerland) – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) should immediately act to ensure reports of alleged sexual abuse of athletes by the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, are investigated fully, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. In a statement on May […]
Switzerland: Parliament Must Ensure Respect for Human Rights by Sports Federations
Bern (6 June 2023) – Strong measures are needed to ensure that sports federations based in Switzerland comply with their human rights due diligence obligations, says Amnesty International. The human rights organization, together with the global coalition Sport & Rights Alliance, is calling on the Swiss Parliament to support two policy initiatives that seek to […]
“We Have to Empower Each Other”: Consultation With Survivors of Abuse in Sport
Consultation with Survivors of Abuse in Sport Outlines Need for Global Network (Nyon, Switzerland, 16 May, 2023) — Focus group research and trauma-informed interviews with over 25 athlete survivors and representatives of survivor-led organizations have revealed a widespread need for an international network to connect survivors, share experiences, facilitate learning and empower greater advocacy, the […]
France: Intrusive Olympics Surveillance Technologies Could Usher in a Dystopian Future
French lawmakers must reject any plans to use video surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Such draconian technologies of mass surveillance violate the rights to privacy and can lead to violations of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. This could result into dystopian levels of surveillance in […]