01 Nov 2020

Commonwealth member countries have unanimously adopted a statement to promote human rights and tackle discrimination at all levels of sport, from community games to elite sporting events.

According to a press release from Commonwealth, the consensus statement sets out 13 commitments and serves as a guide to protect and promote the human rights of every individual involved in the sport sector.

It states that each of the Commonwealth family’s 54 member countries had committed to combating racism within the sport sector, promoting women’s equality and empowering people with disabilities to participate on an equal basis.

The communication indicates that through the statement, member countries have agreed to implement a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport, while setting up multi-sectoral platforms to respond to human rights violations.

It further states that the statement places emphasis on introducing human rights objectives in the life cycle of major sporting events to spur a lasting positive legacy from bidding, planning and procurement to competition delivery.

The release highlights that while sport has always been a powerful proponent of human rights, evidence suggests some negative influences, adding that Amnesty International noted that when countries host major sporting events, human rights abuses, such as repression of freedom of  expression, forced evictions or labour abuse, often increase.

Recognising corruption as a threat to sport, Commonwealth sports ministers agreed that a human rights approach requires upholding transparency, accountability and good governance, states the release.  

The statement reaffirms the need to further integrate sport in national policies to achieve sustainable development targets, while setting up measures to monitor and evaluate progress. ENDS