Rights expert calls for ending discriminatory policies and practices in sport
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tendayi Achiume, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, urged States and sports governing bodies to take concrete steps to address and end discriminatory practices and policies in sport.
“Sport has the potential to be a powerful force for social good, promoting inclusion, diversity, and respect,” said Ms. Achiume. “However, it is also beset by racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and other forms of intolerance.”
The Special Rapporteur pointed to a number of examples of discriminatory practices in sport, including:
- Racist and xenophobic abuse of athletes and fans.
- Unequal access to opportunities for athletes of different races and ethnicities.
- Discrimination against athletes who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI).
- Exclusion of athletes with disabilities.
“These discriminatory practices are not only wrong in themselves, but they also undermine the integrity and credibility of sport,” said Ms. Achiume. “They prevent athletes from reaching their full potential and they create a hostile and unwelcoming environment for all involved.”
The Special Rapporteur called on States and sports governing bodies to take a number of steps to address and end discriminatory practices in sport. These steps include:
- Adopting and implementing anti-discrimination laws and policies.
- Educating athletes, coaches, and fans about the dangers of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination.
- Providing training for sports officials on how to identify and respond to discrimination.
- Establishing independent mechanisms to investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination.
“Sport has the power to bring people together and to promote social cohesion,” said Ms. Achiume. “By ending discrimination in sport, we can create a more just and inclusive society for all.”
Background
The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate and report on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance around the world.
The Special Rapporteur’s mandate includes examining the root causes of these forms of discrimination, identifying good practices to combat them, and making recommendations to States and other stakeholders on how to prevent and address them.
Rights expert calls for ending discriminatory policies and practices in sport
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