High Commissioner addresses panel on promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal

Distinguished participants,

Thank you to Greece and to the other members of the core group for bringing this important issue to the Human Rights Council.

Every few years, the Olympic and Paralympic Games capture the imagination of many around the world, young and not so young.

Athletes from every county and discipline, giving more of themselves than seems humanly possible. Spanning the full range of emotions from elation to despair. Demonstrating such determination, grit, and resilience.

I am pleased to share the podium with two such remarkable athletes Najla Imad and Yiech Pur Biel.

The Games often take place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and conflict. This year is no different.

Since 1993, inspired by the ancient Greek tradition of ekecheiria, the United Nations has urged its Member States to observe an Olympic Truce from the seventh day before the opening to the seventh day following the closing of each Olympic Games.

This aligns with one of the fundamental aspirations of the Olympic Movement – to help spread a culture of peace.

Sports, like human rights, are a common language of humanity.

At their core, they both also promote fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for all.

They both have transformative power, to trigger societal change, to inspire and promote inclusion.

The reach of mega sporting events, like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic games, is enormous. They connect people from all corners of the world. They can challenge stereotypes and celebrate the remarkable human spirit.

The world of sports is not immune from human rights challenges, including when mega events are organized. And some worrying issues are more visible than others.

Racist or sexist incidents. Abuse. Violence against women. Corruption.

Discrimination on the basis of religion or religious attire, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation and gender identity.

Transgender and intersex women often face ongoing discrimination, with little place to turn for appropriate remedy and accountability.

Colleagues,

Against this backdrop, there has been important progress.

Some businesses in the sports world are aligning their practices with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Human rights policies and grievance mechanisms are increasingly being included in mega sport events. We have also seen some unprecedented actions on racism, like the sentencing in Spain of football fans for racially insulting Vinicius Jr.

But there is still a long way to go to ensure full respect for human rights and inclusiveness in sport.

States have the primary responsibility comprehensively and proactively to address these issues, ensure access to remedies, and prevent further violations.

This includes zero tolerance for racism and all forms of discrimination in sport, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

And committing to gender inclusive policies and programmes that support women’s empowerment.

It also means protecting those who shine a light on the shadow side of sport.

We notice that athletes are increasingly speaking out, either because they have been victims of violations themselves, or to denounce more systemic issues and injustice.

This takes tremendous courage and must be honoured.

When athletes use their voice to promote equality in sport, they are in fact human rights defenders.

They often speak out at great risk to themselves and to their careers, in a context that has not always been open to criticism from the inside. Because – as in other areas – power dynamics are still very much at play in the sporting world, and more is needed to dismantle them.

These athletes must be supported and protected, in the same way that we support all human rights defenders, and by ensuring that they have avenues to speak out and seek redress, safely and without fear of reprisals.

My Office is a staunch ally on this journey, with human rights as our guide. A recent exchange with the World Players Association helped to empower athletes to use the human rights mechanisms to promote their rights.

Building partnerships in this area is crucial.

Colleagues,

I invite you to collaborate with my Office on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 54/25 on a world of sport free of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. I will give an oral update at the upcoming 57th session of the Human Rights Council on this resolution.

Discussions like the one today are crucial to keeping this issue high on the agenda.

Together, we can help amplify the promise of human rights and sports to unite our human family and to promote a culture of peace.

Thank you.