Submission to UN Human Rights Report on Combating Discrimination and Violence Against Intersex Persons

Ensuring the Rights of Intersex Athletes to Safe, Inclusive Sports Environments

The LGBTI community faces numerous, often unique challenges when it comes to their right to participate in sport. Discriminatory narratives, exclusionary policies, and pervasive online harassment are just a few of the significant obstacles that hinder their ability to engage and enjoy in sports at all levels. These barriers are a clear violation of their fundamental rights to inclusion and equal participation.

This submission, provided to the call for inputs for the preparation of the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to the Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/55/14, to explore the distinct challenges that intersex individuals face within the sporting context. By exploring these issues through a human rights lens, the submission highlights the urgent need to address these escalating challenges. The goal is to shed light on how sports from grassroots and recreational to elite levels can evolve to be more inclusive and affirming for intersex athletes.

The report concludes by offering recommendations to sports governing bodies and government entities outlining urgent measures these institutions should adopt to protect the rights of intersex individuals to participate in sports at all levels.

You can read our full submissions below.

Related news

“I know for whom I’m fighting every day.”

“I know for whom I’m fighting every day.”

Recap: Advocacy Tools & Strategies for Advancing the Rights of Impacted People On October 24th, the Athletes Network for Safer Sports held its third capacity-building online workshop on advocacy skills and strategies for impacted athletes and allies. Moderated by Joanna Maranhão and joined by over 30 participants, the discussion centered on our panelists’ experiences advocating […]

READ MORE

Related resources

Olympics: Overturn Athlete’s Disqualification for Speaking Out

Olympics: Overturn Athlete’s Disqualification for Speaking Out

Olympic Authorities Violated Manizha Talash’s Right to Free Expression (Nyon, August 16, 2024) – The disqualification of the Olympic breaking athlete Manizha Talash for promoting gender equality should be overturned and remedied, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. Talash, an Afghan refugee breaker known as “b-girl Talash,” was disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics’ breaking competition […]

READ MORE

Take Action: Join the #Hello Campaign

Take Action: Join the #Hello Campaign

Tell the IOC to Answer the Call For athletes facing abuse, a hotline is a lifeline. Athletes deserve a hotline that works. Our latest report shows once again that athletes facing abuse often have nowhere to turn – especially when the abusers are powerful sports officials who are well-connected with national governments. Join our campaign […]

READ MORE

Trans, Gender Diverse and Intersex Inclusion in Sports is a Human Right

Trans, Gender Diverse and Intersex Inclusion in Sports is a Human Right

This statement calls for inclusive approaches to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender identity or sex characteristics, can participate safely and equitably in sports. We, the undersigned organizations and individuals committed to gender equality, human rights, social justice, and LGBTIQ+ rights, welcome the report on the right to participate in sports by Alexandra Xanthaki, the […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

Sport has the potential to be a catalyst for human development, unity, and freedom, but too often it instead brings harm to its athletes, fans, and communities. We exist to uncover and rectify the many abuses that exist both in and around sport. We aim to transform sports into an authentic force for good.