Mega Sporting Events

National Human Rights Institutions and the Provision of Remedies

11 October 2019

By John Morrison, Chief Executive, IHRB

In July 2018, the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/RES/38/13) requested the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights to analyse the role of national human rights institutions (NHRI) in facilitating access to remedy for business-related human rights abuses, and to convene a two-day global consultation on these issues, to inform the Council's 44th session in June 2020. 

IHRB's Chief Executive, and Deputy Chair of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, John Morrison joined the Working Group's consultations in Geneva. He started by noting:

"I would like to limit my remarks here to the example of sport, although I think much of it is transferrable to other industries. You might think that sport is a luxury when compared to seemingly more urgent or pressing issues on the human rights agenda in any given country, but sport brings together a powerful set of interests, and with it the great potential for good as well as the risk of very serious harm. 

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights has deepened this work with a particular focus on NHRIs as potential providers of remedy in the systemic abuses of rights that exist in one of the most unregulated global industries that touches billions of lives – that of sport. I am pleased that several NHRIs attended the recent Commonwealth Games Assembly in Rwanda and enabled us to spend a whole day of the Assembly focusing on building national-level approaches."

 

Read the full speech here

Statement by Mary Robinson on Urgent Need for Collective Action Ahead of Sporting Chance Forum

09 December 2018

By Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders; Patron, IHRB

In connection with the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, over 300 delegates from around the world will meet this week in Paris to focus on the issue of sport and human rights. UNESCO is co-hosting the third annual Sporting Chance Forum with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights and the Institute for Human Rights and Business.

I am honoured to serve as Chair of the new Centre that was established earlier this year to harness the power of sport to promote human rights in the lives of millions, if not billions, of people around the world and help ensure that all connected with sport respect human rights in their own activities.

The Sporting Chance Forum aims to leverage collective action to tackle some of the critical challenges facing the world of sport. Over recent years, the more than 40 organisations who make up the Centre’s Advisory Council, representatives of which will be participating in the Forum, have taken important steps forward. But as we gather in Paris, there are critical issues of concern that must be faced as well.

First, the nature of human rights abuses linked to sport are often systemic and cultural and must be addressed urgently. The revelations around child abuse in gymnastics and swimming in the USA have stunned the world, and are only the tip of an iceberg. Clearly the majority of those committed to sport are respectful of the rights of the young regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, LGBTI status or disability – but there are some in positions of power that are serial abusers of human rights. For example, recent reports relating to the culture of abuse in Afghanistan’s national women’s football team have surfaced incidences of physical and sexual abuse, death threats, and rape. We must listen to the voices of those affected and act swiftly both to ensure accountability and to prevent future abuses.

Athletes and players can also be vulnerable in other ways. The Bahraini football player Hakeem Al-Araibi faces an uncertain future under detention in Thailand and potentially imprisonment and a high risk of torture if forcibly returned to Bahrain in the days ahead. Although Hakeem now lives and plays football in Australia, having been granted asylum there, a “red notice” had been issued by Interpol and he was taken into custody while on holiday in Thailand. This Interpol request has now been withdrawn but he remains in extreme jeopardy. No one in sport should be exposed to such intimidation and threats. I call on all those responsible and those who could exercise their influence to protect Hakeem and return him safely to his home in Australia.

This is not to forget others whose rights are at risk. The workers who build the infrastructure for mega-sporting events in places such as Tokyo, Qatar and Beijing need to have their rights respected too, in particular migrant workers. Fans need also to enjoy sport within safe environments, free from discrimination and there is no basis at all for excluding segments of the population from participating or watching sport, be they Muslim minorities in countries such as Myanmar or China, on the one hand, or women football fans in Iran on the other. We will hear directly from some of these affected groups during the forthcoming Sporting Chance Forum in Paris. France will be hosting a number of major events over the years ahead and it too needs to ensure it is fully inclusive of all segments of the local population.

The human rights challenges in sport are complex and require collective action where all stakeholders – be they sports bodies, hosts, governments, sponsors, broadcasters, trade unions and NGOs – stand together as true equals. Partnership means the powerful have to be willing to work in new ways for the greater good. The Centre for Sport and Human Rights will cooperate with everyone but will also stand as an independent actor - a trusted and impartial voice which places human beings at the centre of every decision and every action.

Mary Robinson
Chair, Centre for Sport and Human Rights

Strategic Dialogue on Remedy

07 December 2018

By Daniela Heerdt, Research Officer, Centre for Sport and Human Rights

Strategic Dialogue on Remedy in the sport and human rights context was held at the Peace Palace in The Hague on 15 October 2018.

IHRB and the Centre for Sport and Human Rights invited 55 experts and representatives from inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, international legal institutions, players unions, academia, and international sports governing bodies to discuss existing gaps in remedy in the world of sport and human rights and to identify solutions on how to fill these gaps. This meeting report reviews the key contributions and reflections emerging from the event.

A draft background paper also framed the discussions at the meeting. This draft "Mapping Remedy Mechanisms for Sports-Related Human Rights Grievances" is now available to download for consultation.

 

Comments are requested to info [at] sporthumanrights.org by 31 January 2019.

Centre for Sport and Human Rights Addresses European Parliament on the Future of Sport

20 November 2018

By Alison Biscoe, Manager, Programmes & Partnerships, Centre for Sport and Human Rights

At the European Parliament Sub-Committee on Human Rights on 19th November 2018, Alison Biscoe outlined the work and planned progress of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, addressing three points in particular:

1. In the Centre’s view, what is the opportunity that sport creates for promoting human rights?

2. How has the Centre worked to capitalise on this opportunity and achieve meaningful progress?

3. How will the Centre respond to challenges and continue to push for progress moving forward?

She concluded:

"The Centre will respond to new challenges by continuing to work collectively and focusing on different areas of intervention. A first critical task for us all is to respond effectively to known human rights risks of those most affected by sport... Ensuring the voices of these groups are heard and systematically integrated into not only the Centre’s work, but the policies and actions of the world of sport more broadly, will be critical in ensuring meaningful progress going forward. 
"A second key task ahead is working constructively with actors responsible for implementation and financing, in other words the sports bodies, local organising committees, governments, and businesses. They must have the necessary knowledge and capacity to be able to truly embed human rights due diligence processes throughout their operations."

Read the full speech here

Labour Law Reforms in Qatar - Challenges and Opportunities for Business

10 October 2018

By John Morrison, Chief Executive, IHRB

John Morrison delivered a speech on 17th October 2018 at a conference in Doha focussing on labour law refoms in Qatar. The two day event was co-hosted by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs.

In his speech John Morrison said:

"Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank our co-convenors: the Qatar Chamber, the Ministry of Labour and the ILO. I really only have one message but one which I want to deliver clearly as someone who has also worked in business. It is the same message I delivered to international companies and Ambassadors here two years ago. Responsible business is no longer a choice - it is essential for all of you as the world looks increasingly on Qatar now the Russia World Cup is over. The legacy of the World Cup and progress towards Qatar’s 2030 Vision depends on the actions all stakeholders, including business, over the months and years ahead.

"There has been real progress over these past two years. At the very highest levels, the State of Qatar has made a renewed commitment towards labour reform and earlier this year the International Labour Organization opened their office here – a sign of good faith and cooperation. The Supreme Committee for the Delivery and Legacy of Qatar 2022 continues to make solid steps forwards for the 30,000 workers under their responsibility – from the repayment of recruitment fees, joint health and safety inspections with a global union federation and independent third party monitoring. This aligns well with United Nations standards to Protect, Respect and Remedy the human rights of everyone – and for business to also play its role in undertaking all necessary steps to prevent harm and to remedy abuses when they are found.

"In a world of greater transparency, driven by technologies such as blockchain, international companies around the world know that labour rights are material to the trust society places in them. Soon customers will know much more not just about what is in products they buy but also what lies behind the services they use – including hotels, food and transport. Transparency is coming to us all and so we better be ready for it. For businesses here that are looking to export abroad, then these issues will come sooner as tariffs too are increasingly linked to human rights concerns. I have seen Chambers of Commerce and business associations in other countries play leading roles in helping prepare their members for such moments of greater scrutiny.

"One significant issue that needs much more progress is that of responsible recruitment. The problem is not unique to Qatar - there are businesses all over the world dealing with this right now. But the message here is simple. None of us should have to buy our jobs. We do not expect our brothers, sisters and children to have to take large debts, mortgages or loans in order to purchase jobs in a faraway land. This practice is illegal under Qatari law but all of us know that most of the migrant workers coming to build countries such as yours are paying these fees in countries of origin. You might say this is their problem and not your problem but I would beg to differ. Having such practices in your labour supply chains will become a problem for us all as the spotlight of 2022 shines ever brighter.

"We will hear today and tomorrow from companies who have taken steps to clean up their labour supply chains. Concrete steps of due diligence, prevention and remediation. If the workers are not to pay these recruitment fees then it is companies here, as well as your suppliers, who must do so. Yes, this and new commitments to a minimum wage will make labour more expensive, but we are talking about human lives – lives worthy of dignity and respect as much as our own. This is the central message of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed in Paris on 10 December 1948, a 70-year birthday we will be celebrating in a few weeks' time.

"Qatar has now made many of the essential commitments. Earlier this year the government signed the two key United Nations human rights instruments – the Convent on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. You are the third such country in this region to do so. This country has also shown humility in accepting that labour abuses still persist and has welcomed critical friends into the country to work with you. This spirit of openness and cooperation can only help as we now look for action by business itself across international labour supply chains.

"This is a country with a proud history of hospitality and welcome. There have been good examples of promising practice on labour rights in Qatar, which we’ll hear about later today. This good practice now needs to be scaled up to advance the rights of everyone. This means recognising the rights of all and that your responsibility as businesses extends far beyond the borders of this country. You have friends willing to help you in this journey."

Download the speech here

Sport, Broadcasting and Human Rights - Guiding Questions

22 June 2018

All companies have a responsibility to respect human rights when they carry out their business. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights guide companies in how to meet their responsibilities, and due diligence is a critical component.

This tool, "Sport, Broadcasting and Human Rights - Guiding Questions", is intended to help broadcasters identify and, if necessary, mitigate any potential human rights impacts that may occur when broadcasting a sporting event. It builds on the White Paper "Broadcasters and Human Rights in the Sports Context", which identified potential risks to people and their rights arising from broadcasting a sporting event. 

This tool can be used alongside existing planning and risk processes, such as health and safety assessments, and is intended to be practical, flexible, and to help identify ways to address the particular risks identified.

Download the tool here

 


The companion tool – 'Sponsors, Sport and Human Rights – Guiding Questions’ - can also be used by any business involved in the sponsorship of a sporting even to prompt the identification of human rights issues to consider at the earliest stages of developing a sport sponsorship relationship, and in the sponsor agreement itself.

Sport, Sponsorship and Human Rights - Guiding Questions

13 June 2018

Sponsors have a responsibility, within their own operations and throughout their supply chains, to respect human rights. Sporting events are no different from any other business relationship in terms of needing to proactively take account of potential human rights risks.

'Sport, Sponsorship and Human Rights - Guiding Questions' is a tool intended to prompt the identification of issues to consider at the earliest stages of developing a sport sponsorship relationship, and in the sponsor agreement itself. Building on the white paper on ‘Sponsors and Human Rights in the Sports Context’, these questions should help sponsors consider how they might create effective leverage to address human rights risks throughout the lifetime of the sponsorship.

Download the tool here

 


The companion tool – ‘Sport, Broadcasting and Human Rights – Guiding Questions’ - can also be used by broadcasters to identify and, if necessary, mitigate any potential human rights impacts that may occur when broadcasting a sporting event.  

Progress on Embedding Human Rights within Commonwealth Sports Policy

03 May 2018

By David Rutherford, Chief Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission

Last month in Queensland, Australia, the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games delivered the first multi-sport event to offer an equal number of medals for both men and women, and featured the largest integrated sports programme in Commonwealth Games history. The Gold Coast Games also positioned reconciliation and respect for Australia’s indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as central to the event.

Together with David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), I have had the pleasure of Co-Chairing a Task Force on Sports Governing Bodies as part of the IHRB-convened Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights. As well as celebrating the great work of the CGF in Gold Coast, the Games coincided with some significant progress on embedding human rights within Commonwealth sports policy, and the launch of our guide on Championing Human Rights in the Governance of Sports Bodies.

The Games coincided with some significant progress on embedding human rights within Commonwealth sports policy.

Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting

Ahead of the Games in Gold Coast, the 9th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (9CSMM), chaired and hosted by the Government of Australia, saw delegations from 45 Commonwealth nations and territories meet under the theme ‘strengthening policy coherence to maximise the benefits of investing in sport’.

This provided an opportunity to speak directly to Ministers on the recommendations of the Commonwealth Advisory Board on Sport (CABOS) and to the new Commonwealth Secretariat publication, States Obligations Under International Human Rights Conventions; The Implications for Government Sport Policy. This publication examines how human rights can be protected in sport and through sport. It examines areas in which sport can advance the 2030 development agenda and sets out in detail the status of ratification of human rights treaties by Commonwealth States. It tabulates the human rights obligations that are relevant to realisation of the SDGs identified by the Commonwealth as relevant to sport, or where sport can assist realisation.

The primary objective of 9CSMM was to agree on joint strategies and collective actions to strengthen policy coherence.

Ministers reiterated the valuable contribution sport can make to national development priorities, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They emphasised that a well governed and inclusive sport environment, with strong integrity measures, and human rights protections, is essential to maximise this positive impact.

The primary objective of 9CSMM was to agree on joint strategies and collective actions to strengthen policy coherence. Three priority areas for action were agreed on, each drawn from CABOS key recommendations:

  1. Mapping the sports integrity environment in the Commonwealth to quantify the diversity of challenges, vulnerabilities and capacity to respond across member countries and enable the development of tools to assist countries to optimise sports integrity protection frameworks, in particular in small and vulnerable states.
  1. Developing model indicators and a toolkit to support the measurement and evaluation of the contribution of sport to the SDGs, complimented by mapping of national sport policies against prioritised SDGs.
  1. Developing a consensus statement on promoting human rights in and through sport for consideration by the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting.

Ministers affirmed (as noted in the full 9CSMM Communique) that the MINEPS Sport Policy Follow-up Framework is a valuable reference point to support the development and implementation of coherent sport policy. They emphasised and agreed to take action to strengthen the alignment and coordination of sport policy implementation, in particular across government and with the Commonwealth Games Federation, affiliated member associations and the broader Commonwealth sport movement. 

Commonwealth Heads of Government committed to take collective action to promote good governance, address corruption, protect the integrity of sport, and promote human rights through sport.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Following on from Gold Coast, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London on 19-20 April 2018 (CHOGM 2018), which included a meeting dedicated to specific deliberations on sport policy issues. In their final CHOGM 2018 Communique, Heads of Government affirmed the valuable contribution sport can make to the 2030 Agenda. They committed to work with Commonwealth sports bodies to maximise this positive impact and take collective action to promote good governance, address corruption, protect the integrity of sport, and promote human rights through sport.

The Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI) met at the same time as CHOGM 2018. There was considerable enthusiasm from Commonwealth NHRIs for the progress on sport and human rights and for further involvement, particularly from African NHRIs. CFNHRI is chaired for the next two years by the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission. That Commission will lead work by Commonwealth NHRIs on sport and human rights.

If you do not play by the rules you agree to, you cheat. We must ensure that human rights underpin sports integrity and sustainable development through sport.

A Centre for Sport and Human Rights

Embedding human rights within government sports policy is of fundamental importance both in Commonwealth member states, and beyond. In sport we learn to play by the rules. Even children will tell you if you do not play by the rules you cheat. Human rights laws are the rules governing competition in the human race. These are the rules states have freely agreed to follow. There is no compulsion. If you do not play by the rules you agree to, you cheat. We must ensure that human rights underpin sports integrity and sustainable development through sport.

A new Centre for Sport and Human Rights, to be launched in Geneva in June this year will play an important role in supporting policy coherence on sport and human rights, and in supporting states, sports bodies, and the private sector to meet their human rights obligations and responsibilities to ensure harm-free sport for all.

 

The author acknowledges the input of Oliver Dudfield (Commonwealth Secretariat) and Margaret MacDonald (New Zealand Human Rights Commission) in preparing this blog post. 

The Mega-Sporting Event Lifecycle - Embedding Human Rights from Vision to Legacy

27 April 2018

Mega-sporting events (MSEs) are the pinnacle of global sport, but cannot stand apart from their very significant social impacts – both positive and negative. Sporting events can enhance freedoms and celebrate human dignity, but can also amplify discrimination and abuse. It is critical to ensure that the world of sport is in full alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international human rights and related instruments, principles, and standards.

"The Mega-Sporting Event Lifecycle: Embedding Human Rights from Vision to Legacy" presents the lifecycle of a mega-sporting event, with specific elements of good human rights practice at each stage that those involved in hosting the event should integrate into their planning, delivery, and legacy in order to ensure a rights-compliant event.

This Guide has been developed by MSE Platform Task Force on Host Actors chaired by Sandra Lendenmann Winterberg (Head, Office of Human Rights Policy, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) and Ambet Yuson (General Secretary, Building and Woodworkers International), with input from the members of the Task Force and drafting led by William Rook and Alison Biscoe (IHRB), with support of Lucy Amis (IHRB Research Fellow).

The Guide is also available in French, and Japanese.

Championing Human Rights in the Governance of Sports Bodies

31 March 2018

Sports bodies are critical actors in delivering mega-sporting events, setting the expectations and standards to which events should be delivered. Through implementing human rights within their own governance and operations, sports bodies can take important steps towards protecting the values of sport and implementing respect for human rights.

A new human rights guide for sports bodies of all sizes was launched at the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), on the eve of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

"Championing Human Rights in the Governance of Sports Bodies" introduces human rights to sports bodies, large and small, drawing on lessons from the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, and the Commonwealth Games Federation and outlining four tangible steps that sports bodies can take to build human rights into the governance of their organisations. Focussed explicitly on governance, this Guide is intended for consideration at executive and board level of sports bodies.

The Guide has been developed by IHRB and the Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights through its Task Force on Sports Bodies chaired by David Grevemberg (Chief Executive, CGF) and David Rutherford (Chief Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission), with the support of DLA Piper and Unicef UK, and input from the IOC, FIFA, UEFA, and the CGF.

The Guide is also available in French.

Commenting at the launch, David Grevemberg called on all sports bodies of all sizes, inside and outside of the Commonwealth, to implement the Guide's practical steps:

We are all custodians of sporting movements and organisations that have inherent potential to create positive change in the world. To realise this potential, it is essential that respect for human rights be embedded within governance and operations. 
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation

Harm Free Sport - Aligning Sports Bodies, Sporting Values, and Human Rights

30 March 2018

By William Rook, Senior Advisor, Middle East, IHRB

Several major sports governing bodies are making strides towards implementing their commitments to respect human rights throughout their operations.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen adoption of the International Olympic Committee’s new host city contract and the UEFA bidding requirements for the 2024 European Championships. The Commonwealth Games Federation’s Human Rights Policy and 2022 Games Candidate City Manual have come online, as well as FIFA’s new Human Rights Policy which follows the recommendations it commissioned in 2016 from Professor John Ruggie.

Significant Progress in 2017

This trend reflects a growing recognition among leaders in the sports sector of their human rights responsibilities consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). These steps have been achieved through collaboration between sports bodies, and a noteworthy commitment to multi-stakeholderism, in particular with regard to a joint commitment to establish an independent Centre for Sport and Human Rights in 2018.

Sports bodies already take meaningful steps to promote integrity and safeguard the well-being and dignity of athletes, fans, officials, volunteers, employees, and local residents.

Progress by a number of leading actors in developing and strengthening their systems to manage human rights risks has been widely welcomed. However, it should also be recognised that a generation of work will be needed to fully align the world of sport with the fundamental principles of human dignity, human rights, and labour rights.

Indeed, there are thousands of sports bodies at global, regional and national levels, who have yet to commit to respecting human rights or demonstrate their implementation. As such, there is a need to support organisations at all levels in identifying their responsibilities and the steps to implement within their operations.

Aligning Human Rights with Sporting Values

The good news is we are not starting from scratch. There is already a great deal of alignment between sporting values and human rights. Sports bodies are custodians of sporting movements and promote sporting values by ensuring that standards of equal opportunity, diversity, anti-discrimination and integrity are upheld. Respect for human rights is not separate from such objectives; rather respect for human rights strengthens these objectives under a common narrative of “harm free sport”.

A generation of work will be needed to fully align the world of sport with the fundamental principles of human dignity, human rights, and labour rights.

Sports bodies already take meaningful steps to promote integrity and safeguard the well-being and dignity of athletes, fans, officials, volunteers, employees, and local residents. They do this, for example, by providing safe and decent conditions of work, by enforcing non-discriminatory policies and ensuring their sports and sport venues are accessible to persons with disabilities and from all genders and backgrounds, as well as by procuring equipment and services responsibly.

However, despite sport and human rights being natural allies, this has often not been the case. As is increasingly recognised, mega-sporting events can contribute to a range of negative impacts on athletes, fans, communities, children, workers, human rights defenders and representatives of the press. The wider world of sport has also been linked to violations of human rights including discrimination and sexual abuse. In response, society’s expectations of sports bodies have never been higher, and ensuring that sport is harm free across the board must be a matter of urgency.

New Guidance

The Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights (MSE Platform) has produced a new implementation guide for sports bodies large and small. “Championing Rights in the Governance of Sports Bodies” is a joint effort, developed in consultation with the MSE Platform Sports Governing Bodies Task Force, co-chaired by David Grevemberg CBE (Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation) and David Rutherford (Chief Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission).

Colleagues from Unicef UK and DLA Piper supported the drafting (with special thanks to Lucy Amis and Daniel D’Ambrosio respectively) ensuring that this resource will provide practical guidance and recommendations for all involved in governing sports bodies. The new guide is being launched at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly on 31 March 2018, ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. The publication will form the basis of on-going outreach and training to sports bodies at regional, national and local levels.

Embedding Human Rights Within Sports Body Governance

Ensuring the values of sports bodies are fully aligned with human rights starts at the governance level, with the development and implementation of effective policies.

The new implementation guide for sports bodies large and small will truly help to embed human rights within sports body governance.

Starting with governance, and having the right tools in place to build human rights respecting institutions within the world of sport, is a meaningful step towards the goal of harm free sport for all.

For detailed guidance on embedding human rights within sports body governance, follow this link to access “Championing Rights in the Governance of Sports Bodies”.

Sustainable Sourcing, Grievance Mechanisms, and Human Rights at Mega-Sporting Events - Tokyo 2020

29 March 2018

On September 13, 2017, IHRB on behalf of the Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights organised, with the support of the Swiss Government and together with Caux Round Table Japan, its first workshop in Japan, towards making respect for human rights a reality in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The workshop was attended by 76 persons from 41 organisations, including the International Olympic Committee, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympics headquarters in the Cabinet Secretariat, and other related organisations of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, sponsor companies, NGOs from Japan and abroad, athletes’ organisations, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as well as U.S. and Swiss Embassies in Japan.

The workshop aimed to identify, and share among the participants, key points and issues surrounding the implementation of sustainable sourcing policies and grievance mechanisms in relation to mega-sporting events.

This meeting report summarises the key points from each contributor, and is available in both English and Japanese.

The 2017 Sporting Chance Forum

21 March 2018

The second annual Sporting Chance Forum convened in Geneva, Switzerland from 30 November to 1 December 2017, hosted by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and the Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights (MSE Platform).

The Forum brought together over 175 representatives from across many stakeholder groups to explore the human rights opportunities and risks associated with mega-sporting events (MSEs) and sport in general, and to assess progress made and challenges remaining since the first Sporting Chance Forum in October 2016.

The Forum was opened by Mary Robinson, Chair of the MSE Platform Steering Committee, who announced a joint commitment to transition the MSE Platform to a permanent, independent Centre for Sport and Human Rights in 2018.  

The Forum also showcased draft work developed collectively by members of the MSE Platform, to further operationalise human rights principles by various actors in the world of sport. The draft tools were consulted on during parallel sessions of the Forum, and will be finalised and published throughout 2018.

This meeting report offers an overview of the two-day discussions, as well as conclusions and next steps for the future Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

The meeting report is also available in French.

You can also watch the opening of the 2017 Sporting Chance Forum below, with remarks from: John Morrison, Chief Executive, Institute for Human Rights and Business; Mary Robinson, Chair of the MSE Platform Steering Committee; Pascale Baeriswyl, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Government of Switzerland; Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Guy Ryder, Director General, International Labour Organization; and Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee.

Joint Statement on Centre for Sport and Human Rights

30 November 2017

On the eve of international Human Rights Day (December 10th), a joint statement was issued affirming the commitment to launch a new independent Centre for Sport and Human Rights in 2018.

Announced at the Sporting Chance Forum in Geneva, the planned Centre will be the first of its kind, aimed at helping build a world of sport that protects, respects, and upholds the human rights of athletes, workers, communities, children, fans, volunteers, and the press.

The Centre plans are backed by Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights (MSE Platform), a diverse coalition, including FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games Federation, and UEFA, as well as a range of intergovernmental organisations, governments, athletes, hosts, sponsors, broadcasters, civil society representatives, trade unions, employers associations, and national human rights institutions.

Follow IHRB and the MSE Platform for further details throughout 2018. 

Read the full Joint Statement here (and in French and German)

Japan’s Technical Intern Training Programme - Learning the Hard Way?

16 October 2017

By Takeshi Hayakawa, IHRB Visiting Researcher 2016, Jon Barnes, Independent Researcher; Research Fellow, IHRB

In September 2017, 37 member states endorsed an appeal during the UN General Assembly for urgent action on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7. This is the target that advocates immediate progress to eradicate human trafficking, forced labour, and modern slavery globally by 2030.

One of the signatories of the call was Japan.

This signal by Tokyo is welcome if it leads to firm action to tackle growing evidence of modern slavery problems in the country. Migrant workers are one of the groups most vulnerable to the worst forms of labour exploitation and abuses in supply chains. Japan, with its low birth rate and ageing population, is increasingly relying on foreign sources to tackle labour shortages in lower-skill sectors of its economy.

Japan’s treatment of migrant workers is likely to face increasing scrutiny, not least in the construction sector, as the country prepares to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2014, Japan’s government reportedly estimated it would require an additional 150,000 workers between 2015 and 2020 to meet the sector’s overall needs.

 

How the TITP Works

An important, yet increasingly controversial, mechanism for recruiting migrant construction workers in Japan – and foreign labour for many other sectors – is the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP). The supposed official purpose of this state-supported scheme, set up formally in 1993, is to aid the industrial development of developing countries through the transfer of skills and expertise gained by developing country ’trainees’ who undergo one to three year placements in Japanese companies.

The supposed official purpose...is to aid the industrial development of developing countries through the transfer of skills and expertise gained by developing country ’trainees’ 

TITP interns, 74.5 per cent of whom come from China and Vietnam, are hired in their countries of origin by recruiting agencies, which then work with Japanese business associations (so-called ‘supervising organisations’) to broker their placement with individual enterprises (‘implementing organisations’). In October 2016, Japan was hosting 211,108 TITP ‘interns’.

A controversial feature of TITP is its requirement that when ‘interns’ move to the second year of their internship, they must remain with the same enterprise that took them on in the first year. This renders the interns vulnerable to exploitation, particularly when their residency and immigration status is tied to such an arrangement. The result is a power imbalance in which migrant workers have a subordinate relationship with employers and are less able to claim their rights.

Growing Criticism

As such, TITP has faced growing criticism within Japan and internationally.

Critics allege that the scheme operates largely as a guest-worker programme providing cheap labour rather than the professional development of 'trainees', and that it involves widespread exploitation and human rights abuses, including human trafficking and forced labour.

Critics allege that TITP involves widespread exploitation and human rights abuses, including human trafficking and forced labour.

The US State Department, in its 2016 “Human Trafficking in Persons Report”, observed:

“Some of [the technical intern trainees] pay up to $10,000 for jobs and are employed under contracts that mandate forfeiture of the equivalent of thousands of dollars if they leave. Reports continue of excessive fees, deposits, and ‘punishment’ contracts by sending organisations under this programme. Some employers confiscate trainees’ passports and other personal identity documents and control the movements of technical intern trainees to prevent their escape or communication with persons outside the program.”

Amid growing pressure to address the issues, the Japanese government in 2016 introduced legislation on TITP, which is due to enter into force by November 2017. This envisages the creation of a new TITP oversight body with the legal authority to conduct investigations in collaboration with labour and justice ministries, as well as some measures to improve regulation of the business associations and enterprises involved in the programme.

Civil society organisations, however, have criticised the legislation as lacking serious ambition, and are particularly unhappy with its increase of TITP’s maximum term for interns from three to five years. The extension, they argue, will merely prolong the abuse of victims. It could also double the number of interns who work in Japan.

Strategy Needed

Whatever the debates about how TITP should be reformed and whether it should be scrapped or replaced, Japan needs a more comprehensive strategy to prevent and address abuses affecting migrant workers.

Japan is not alone in facing the challenge of protecting migrant workers’ rights.

The Government could move to strengthen and enforce existing domestic labour law protections and prevent immigration policies acting act as a source of discrimination and vulnerability, as well as adopt relevant international standards and tools as a spur for national action. (Japan has not ratified International Labour Organization conventions on migrant worker protection and is yet to ratify the 2014 protocol of ILO Convention 29 promoting binding action on forced labour.)

Japan is not alone in facing the challenge of protecting migrant workers’ rights. 

Growing pressure for change has led some governments to introduce legislation to encourage business practice avoiding forced labour in supply chains, and Japan could build on their lessons in taking similar action itself. These moves include, for example, the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act and the UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act. Meanwhile, tools developed and promoted through multi-stakeholder dialogue to promote respect for migrant worker rights, such as the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity, now translated into Japanese, are useful for companies in Japan seeking to overcome the problems raised by TITP.

In a positive move, the Japanese government stated in late 2016 that it will develop a national action plan (NAP) to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). This is significant as key features of the UNGPs, and the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework they rest on, are crucial to tackling the challenges of TITP.

As far as the SDG 8.7 target is concerned, it should be stressed that the UNGPs, along with ILO Conventions, are identified as an official means of achieving the SDGs and all stakeholders need to do far more to achieve a solid link in practice.

Tokyo 2020 preparations are a litmus test of how committed Japanese government and businesses are addressing migrant worker rights.

The Japanese government announced its plans for a NAP specifically in the context of Tokyo 2020, aware that the Olympic Games will attract human rights scrutiny. Indeed, Tokyo 2020 preparations are a litmus test of how committed the Government and businesses are to the strategic action needed to address the adverse impacts associated with the TITP, not just in relation to the Games but in Japan’s economy as a whole.

Such action is crucial to protect migrant workers, but also for Japan’s international image if, in the context of construction for the 2020 Tokyo games, it is to avoid controversies of the kind surrounding Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup for example.

More information on the TITP and its implications can be found in IHRB’s new report: “Learning Experience? Japan’s Technical Intern Training Programme and the Challenge of Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers” published in October 2017.

2024 Olympic Bid Evaluation - A Human Rights Review of LA and Paris

25 July 2017

Image: IOC

On 5th July 2017 the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Evaluation Commission 2024 published its assessment of the LA and Paris bids for the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Evaluation report focuses on four broad categories: Games Concept, Games Experience, Sustainability and Legacy, and Games Delivery.

This briefing offers an overview of what the Evaluation says about each candidate city’s approach to human rights, with a summary table at the end drawing out the main ‘strengths’ and ‘challenges’ from the Evaluation.

This briefing has been produced by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) as the secretariat to the Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights (MSE Platform). The information in this briefing does not necessarily reflect the views of MSE Platform members.

 

Image: IOC

White Paper 4.2 Athletes’ Rights and Mega-Sporting Events

31 January 2017

This White Paper maps the conduct of mega-sporting events (MSEs) and their impact on athletes by reference to international human rights standards.

Athletes are the public face of MSEs. Athletic performances are essential to the prestige, popularity and viability of MSEs and, in turn, the sporting and business undertakings of International Sporting Organisations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sporting federations (ISOs). This white paper considers the position of athletes who are among the key groups affected by MSEs.

The work of professional athletes is, by its nature, highly skilled and valuable, yet risky and precarious. As a condition of that work, athletes are subject to regulations that are extraordinary and far-reaching in their complexity and subject matter. The athlete, therefore, is at the centre of the intersection between sport and human rights.

 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 4.1 Children’s Rights in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

This White Paper examines the manifold risks of mega-sporting events (MSEs) to children. It reviews the impact that MSEs can have on the development and the rights of children in the country or city where an MSE is taking place, the impact on children affected as athletes, through the supply of goods and services for the event, or through the marketing and advertising of products during the event and its broadcast.

It highlights some encouraging practice which has emerged in relation to MSEs and children, whilst recognising that the process of considering child specific measures and policies in the frame of MSEs is still in its infancy.
 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 3.2 Broadcasters and Human Rights in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

With reference to the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, this White Paper explains the relationship between broadcasters and mega-sporting events (MSEs), identifies where human rights issues might arise, and discusses potential mechanisms which could be used – and in some cases already are being used – to address them.

Broadcasting plays an important role in MSEs. It is the conduit through which a global audience accesses such events. Opinions differ on the role broadcasters should take when faced with broadcasting events which take place in challenging human rights contexts. Some argue that broadcasters should use this role to raise awareness of human rights issues in the host country. Others say that broadcasting the events is a tacit endorsement of local Governments whose policies may have an adverse impact on local communities. There is also a view that broadcasting MSEs allows local athletes to reach a global audience and exercise their human right to sporting activity.

 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 3.1 Sponsors and Human Rights in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

Human rights groups have for some years lobbied sponsors of mega-sporting events (MSEs) to bring about human rights improvements in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of MSEs – from Beijing and London, through to Sochi and Rio. This is based in part on a belief that their investment in the process puts them in a position to exert significant influence and leverage over host governments, sports governing bodies, and other actors involved.

This White Paper explores the state of human rights as it relates to the sponsor-MSE relationship. It considers the history, models and mechanics of MSE sponsorship, then reviews the human rights risks traditionally posed by or involving MSE sponsors.
 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 2.4 Remedy Mechanisms for Human Rights in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

This White Paper maps out various means of access to remedy in a sport-related context, including mechanisms within selected sports bodies and institutions, as well as judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, and identifies current gaps in dealing with human rights-related issues.

Specific dispute resolution mechanisms exist in the context of international sport.

In some cases, they address human rights issues such as the right to a fair trial. However, they have not been designed to address all the human rights-related issues that may arise from mega-sporting events - be it human rights issues within sports events themselves, or human rights impacts related to the organisation and holding of sports events. On the other hand, a range of other mechanisms exist which complement sports-related ones, including judicial mechanisms, such as national courts and tribunals, as well as a range of non-judicial mechanisms.

 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 2.3 Human Rights Risk Mitigation in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

Not all adverse impacts caused by the lifecycle of developing and delivering a mega-sporting event will be preventable. Where there is potential for harm to occur, stakeholders must identify, mitigate and remediate those impacts, as outlined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and related international standards.

This White Paper focuses on the risks of (a) forced labour and human trafficking and (b) security and policing, identifying mitigation steps for each that have the potential to reduce the adverse effects of those impacts.
 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 2.2 Procurement and Human Rights in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

This White Paper seeks to identify better ways to integrate human rights due diligence into procurement practices for mega-sporting events by examining the human rights roles and responsibilities of host governments, organising committees and delivery partners, with respect to risk mitigation and remedy. The paper considers:

  • The likely range of procurement activities across the MSE life-cycle.
  • Emerging good practice.
  • Existing tools / models for improving human rights good practice.
  • The need for leadership by sports governing bodies to ensure leverage with suppliers over the long term.
  • The scope for, and potential merits of, approved supplier lists.
  • The linkage with and implications of human rights due diligence requirements 
being built into sports governing bodies tendering documents.

     

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 2.1 Host Actors and Human Rights Due Diligence in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

Based on a case study from the Commonwealth Games, this White Paper explores the human rights duties and responsibilities of mega-sporting event (MSE) ‘hosts’, defined as the event organising committees and their local and national government counterparts.

It reviews frameworks including UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Children’s Rights and Business Principles as appropriate roadmaps for implementation by the state and private sector actors engaged in MSE delivery and legacy realisation.
 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 1.3 Corruption and Human Rights in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

This White Paper gives an overview on the most frequent corruption risks linked to mega-sporting events (MSEs), including:

  • Corruption within bidding processes
  • Corruption in contracting
  • Corruption undermining due diligence and regulations.

Over the last three decades as MSEs have become a more and more a sought after instrument by which to demonstrate a country’s economic and political strength, its ability to organise big events, and its status in the international community, the risk of corrupt practices to win bids to host these events has increased enormously.

As a bidding city and the respective country have to invest a huge amount of money and prestige in order to stage an MSE, the pressure to succeed is high and may increase the risk of achieving the goal - not just by fair lobbying.

 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White paper 1.2 Sports Governing Bodies and Human Rights Due Diligence

31 January 2017

This White Paper explores how the provisions laid out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights relate to sports governing bodies.

It additionally starts to pinpoint some of the areas that may need to be prioritised in order to demonstrate respect for human rights, including around the integration of human rights considerations into the bidding requirements for mega-sporting events

Like others in business before them, there is an opportunity for the sports sector to learn from ongoing efforts within the wider business community, as well as to take advantage of expertise and insights offered from civil society, trade unions, governments, intergovernmental bodies and other human rights experts.

 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

White Paper 1.1 Evaluating Human Rights Risks in the Sports Context

31 January 2017

This White Paper considers the extent to which established sources provide a relevant, timely, consistent, accessible and credible basis for evaluating human rights risks in multiple countries at one time, and as a basis for due diligence by sports governing bodies and host actors.

The paper analyses data from UN and ILO public sources on human rights and labour standards and assesses the extent to which these sources can serve as a basis for preparing “country human rights briefs” on mega-sporting event candidate and host cities/countries.
 

This White Paper is one of 11 papers published in January 2017 as part of the Sporting Chance White Paper series. The series aims to present the latest thinking, practice, and debate in relation to key human rights issues involved in the planning, construction, delivery, and legacy of mega-sporting events (MSEs). Each paper also considers the case for, and potential role of, an independent centre of expertise on MSEs and human rights. Each White Paper has been published as “Version 1” and the MSE Platform would welcome comments, input, and expressions of support with regard to future iterations or research on this and other topics.

The 2016 Sporting Chance Forum - Collective Action on Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights

14 December 2016

During 2016, nearly 20 organisations have been developing multi-stakeholder dialogue and joint action aimed at strengthening human rights risk assessment and mitigation in mega-sporting events from bidding through to construction, delivery and legacy. Mary Robinson has lent her energy and leadership to chair this initiative, the Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights, which is facilitated by IHRB.

The Sporting Chance Forum, held in Washington D.C. on 13-14 October 2016, offered an opportunity for knowledge sharing and stock-taking of learning so far. Applying an evidence-based approach, experts and practitioners contributed in the lead up to the Forum to an exercise to develop thirteen draft White Papers clustered around the key stakeholder groups addressed by the Forum. These draft White Papers were designed to identify where progress is being made on human rights in the MSE context, and explore new approaches that could help make progress faster. Following the Sporting Chance Forum, the draft White Papers are being finalised, and will be published in January 2017.

This meeting report offers an overview of the two-day discussions, as well as conclusions and next steps for the MSE Platform. The report also makes reference to the 2016 Sporting Chance Principles, which were put forward by the Forum organisers to guide the two-day discussion, and to underpin future efforts to ensure that mega-sporting events are built on respect for human rights throughout their lifecycles.    

“I believe that sport has the power to change the world. I believe that sport should be safe and accessible for all. I believe that when sport is not safe and accessible for all, there is a responsibility to do something about it.”         

Martina Navratilova, tennis legend, coach, and advocate for LGBTI and women's rights, opening the Sporting Chance Forum   

Diverse Coalition Commits to Making Human Rights Central to Mega-Sporting Events

14 June 2016

Mega sporting events have the potential to help catalyse greater respect for human rights and international labour standards. The efforts of public and private actors involved in the delivery of these events contribute to a range of benefits including new jobs, improved infrastructure such as public transport and digital access, increased tourism and the promotion of healthy life styles. Each major sporting event has the potential to bring lasting positive social impacts.

At the same time, there are significant human rights risks and challenges at every stage of the lifecycle of a major sporting event.  More effective strategies are needed to prevent, mitigate and remedy abuses of human rights and labour standards associated with major sporting events, from planning through to legacy.

To address these challenges, a diverse group of stakeholders has come together to advance dialogue and cooperation. 

Download the statement in the panel to the right to learn more about the group's plans and aims.

Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights in Asia - 2016 Asia Regional Forum on Business & Human Rights

20 April 2016

The First UN Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights took place in Doha from 19-20 April 2016.  Building on the 2014 Africa Forum and 2013 Latin America & Caribbean Forum, it brought together representatives of Governments, business, industry associations, civil society organisations, trade unions, indigenous peoples, affected individuals, law firms, investor groups, international and regional bodies, national human rights institutions, academia and the media. Managed by the UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights to disucuss salient human rights issues in the region and identify areas at the national level where action is needed to prevent and address business-related human rights harm.

IHRB took part in a range of sessions. A summary of the sessions can be found in the Report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises on the Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights, Section VI. Spotlight on mega sporting events.

 

Note: IHRB's original Storify summary of this event is no longer available as the Storify platform is no longer functional. 

Fifa, Qatar and Human Rights - 2016 Asia Regional Forum on Business & Human Rights

20 April 2016

The First UN Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights took place in Doha from 19-20 April 2016.  Building on the 2014 Africa Forum and 2013 Latin America & Caribbean Forum, it brought together representatives of Governments, business, industry associations, civil society organisations, trade unions, indigenous peoples, affected individuals, law firms, investor groups, international and regional bodies, national human rights institutions, academia and the media. Managed by the UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights to disucuss salient human rights issues in the region and identify areas at the national level where action is needed to prevent and address business-related human rights harm.

IHRB took part in a range of sessions. A summary of the sessions can be found in the Report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises on the Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights, Section VI. Spotlight on mega sporting events.

 

Note: IHRB's original Storify summary of this event is no longer available as the Storify platform is no longer functional. 

Human Rights and Mega-Sporting Events - Wilton Park

12 January 2016

By Lucy Amis, Child Rights and Sport Specialist, Unicef UK; Reseach Fellow, IHRB

Respecting the human rights of all concerned – workers, athletes, volunteers, fans, and local communities – requires the same levels of vigilance, international co-ordination, and shared effort as the execution of the MSE itself.

Organised by IHRB, Wilton Park and the Government of Switzerland, the Wilton Park conference on Human Rights and Mega-Sporting Events (MSEs) brought together international experts with a collective global reach to more than 100 sport federations, 155 national business federations, 180 million workers and 10,000 athletes. 

About the Conference

Discussion focused on the human rights challenges that continue to face global sport as well as identified emerging examples of good practice and long-term solutions aimed at ensuring the responsible planning and delivery of such events.

Participants spanned UN agencies, sports governing bodies, governments, local organising committees, sponsors, the wider business community, trade union confederations, civil society, academia and other experts with direct experience in the delivery and accountability of a major sports event. 

The purpose of this meeting was to build consensus on the need for an independent centre for learning on responsibility in sporting events and methods of accountability in their delivery.  Ensuring integration of human rights considerations into MSEs and greater accountability, as well as ongoing engagement with rights-holders will be central.

Summary Conclusions from the Conference

There seemed to be a consensus over the two days that, whilst better information exchange between sporting traditions, venues and other stakeholders would serve a valuable purpose, it would not be sufficient on its own to rebuild trust in the eyes of society. Accountability is also essential. The question is what different pre-emptive (due diligence-based) and remedial (grievance- or mediation-based) approaches might look like in practice. 

There was recognition that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work provided the standards required for governments and businesses alike. The question again was how these might be applied concretely in practice.

Many of those attending expressed an interest in working together during 2016 to show what this additional element might look like. One of the key challenges for those involved will be to balance the urgency of the moment, expressed in particular from civil society, trade union and some sponsors, with the need to take concrete steps that build confidence and trust.

IHRB offered to continue to play the role of ‘midwife’ during 2016 and to reconvene all actors in one year’s time when the evidence of different pilots could be shared and assessed. A steering group will be established at the start of 2016 to guide the process.

ILO, ITUC, IOE & OHCHR Issue Joint Statement on Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights

17 November 2015

The International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have issued a joint statement in advance of a two-day meeting on Human Rights and Mega-Sporting Events organized by IHRB, the Government of Switzerland, and Wilton Park. 

The joint statement highlights the pressing need for a more comprehensive approach to managing social risks and adverse human rights impacts arising from mega-sporting events and affirms the commitment of the four organisations to advancing dialogue and joint action with all actors in this area.

The Statement notes in particular: 

We support the aim of the meeting organisers to discuss and build consensus on the need, among others, for an independent centre for learning on responsibility in sporting events and methods of accountability for their delivery. We are committed to engaging actively in these discussions within our respective mandates and look forward to further dialogue and joint action in this area involving all relevant actors

Robinson and Ruggie Open Letter to FIFA on Human Rights

11 June 2014

By John Ruggie, Patron Emeritus, IHRB; Author, UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders; Patron, IHRB

In a letter to FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and John Ruggie, former UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights, on behalf of the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), urge football’s governing body to fully integrate human rights considerations into its decision making.

Robinson, IHRB Patron, and Ruggie, Chair of IHRB's International Advisory Board, call on FIFA and all sports governing bodies to make an explicit commitment to respect human rights and establish a strategy for integrating relevant international standards such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into their operations.

Robinson and Ruggie stress that:

“All countries face human rights challenges, but more effective and sustained due diligence is clearly needed with respect to decisions about host nations and how major sporting events are planned and implemented.”

Sports Governing Bodies and Human Rights

01 May 2014

Sports governing bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Commonwealth Games Federation and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) set the rules that all other actors are expected to follow when delivering an MSE, ranging from the criteria around transport, accommodation, and ticketing allocations, to the procedures for
the opening and closing ceremonies. As such, these bodies are in a strong position to set requirements that advance respect for human rights and help reduce any adverse rights impacts associated with these events.

This report outlines what is at stake when it comes to human rights and the role of sports governing bodies, the responses various bodies have taken, as well as a set of recommendations for every sports governing body to ensure respect for human rights throughout the MSE lifecycle.

 

The material in this report was originally written for the www.megasportingevents.org website to expand on and advance the research contained in IHRB’s 2013 report “Striving for Excellence: Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights”. It is accurate and up to date as of May 2014. The www.megasportingevents.org website has since been updated and the original content replaced. The original content has been archived into this series of short reports to maintain their usefulness as early contributions to the body of research on mega-sporting events and human rights.

Mega-Sporting Event Local Organisers and Human Rights

01 May 2014

A mega-sporting event (MSE) is often too complex to have one single local organiser. For most recent Olympics there have been at least two entities - an event organising body and a separate delivery authority responsible for physical construction of venues and infrastructure. These two bodies often work in parallel, but each has responsibility for establishing sustainability standards, including human rights and workplace issues.

This report outlines the approaches that several organisers have taken in relation to human rights risk management around particular MSEs, including:

  • the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee
  • the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority
  • the London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
  • the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee
  • the Rio 2016 Organising Committee
  • the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee

 

The material in this report was originally written for the www.megasportingevents.org website to expand on and advance the research contained in IHRB’s 2013 report “Striving for Excellence: Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights”. It is accurate and up to date as of May 2014. The www.megasportingevents.org website has since been updated and the original content replaced. The original content has been archived into this series of short reports to maintain their usefulness as early contributions to the body of research on mega-sporting events and human rights.

Mega-Sporting Event Host Countries and Human Rights - Challenges & Responses

01 May 2014

This report outlines some of the challenges that have arisen for various hosts of mega-sporting events (MSE) in relation to human rights. It provides an overview of the event context, in-depth studies, and responses taken before, during and after various events including:

  • The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
  • The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games
  • The Qatar 2022 World Cup
  • The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and 2018 FIFA World Cup
  • The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

 

The material in this report was originally written for the www.megasportingevents.org website to expand on and advance the research contained in IHRB’s 2013 report “Striving for Excellence: Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights”. It is accurate and up to date as of May 2014. The www.megasportingevents.org website has since been updated and the original content replaced. The original content has been archived into this series of short reports to maintain their usefulness as early contributions to the body of research on mega-sporting events and human rights.

The Human Rights Challenges of Mega-Sporting Events

01 May 2014

This report outlines some of the key human rights challenges that come with the planning, delivery, and legacy of a mega-sporting events (MSE). It outlines what is at stake, the in-depth studies, challenges, and responses in relation to several core human rights concerns including:

  • land acquisition and the right to housing
  • construction of MSE infrastructure
  • recruitment of temporary and migrant workers
  • procurement and supply chain management
  • security provision

 

The material in this report was originally written for the www.megasportingevents.org website to expand on and advance the research contained in IHRB’s 2013 report “Striving for Excellence: Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights”. It is accurate and up to date as of May 2014. The www.megasportingevents.org website has since been updated and the original content replaced. The original content has been archived into this series of short reports to maintain their usefulness as early contributions to the body of research on mega-sporting events and human rights.

Human Rights and Mega-Sporting Event Sponsorship

01 May 2014

Corporate sponsorship has become integral to the financing of mega-sporting events (MSE), but it has also become a lightning rod for campaigners, including over the human rights reputations of the corporate sponsors themselves, and the possible leverage the sponsors may be able to exert over host governments in relation to domestic and international human rights issues.

This report outlines what is at stake when it comes to human rights and the sponsorship of MSEs, the challenges sponsors can face and pose, some responses MSE sponsors have taken in the past, and concludes with a set of recommendations that all sponsors should take to ensure human rights considerations are taken into account.

 

The material in this report was originally written for the www.megasportingevents.org website to expand on and advance the research contained in IHRB’s 2013 report “Striving for Excellence: Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights”. It is accurate and up to date as of May 2014. The www.megasportingevents.org website has since been updated and the original content replaced. The original content has been archived into this series of short reports to maintain their usefulness as early contributions to the body of research on mega-sporting events and human rights.

Bidding to Host a Mega-Sporting Event

01 May 2014

Countries and cities bidding to host a mega-sporting event (MSE) like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup or Commonwealth Games are usually elected 7 or 8 years before the event itself takes place. The bidding process normally starts a year or two beforehand, when the sports governing body (e.g. the IOC or FIFA) publishes a detailed questionnaire, outlining the process and timeline. About one year later a handful of candidate nations / cities are selected. These are then given several months in which to submit a candidature file.

At a minimum, the candidature file must comply with various requirements set by the sports governing body. However, the host city or government very often has an opportunity to set the tone of its own bid. This is a critical point in the MSE lifecycle, especially if the candidate city / government wishes to tread new ground, for instance by placing human rights at the centre of its bid.

This report outlines the challenges that arise when it comes to incorporating human rights into the MSE bidding process. It also considers various responses by host cities to date, covering the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, London 2012 Summer Olympics, and the Norwegian Bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

 

The material in this report was originally written for the www.megasportingevents.org website to expand on and advance the research contained in IHRB’s 2013 report “Striving for Excellence: Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights”. It is accurate and up to date as of May 2014. The www.megasportingevents.org website has since been updated and the original content replaced. The original content has been archived into this series of short reports to maintain their usefulness as early contributions to the body of research on mega-sporting events and human rights.

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games - Upholding Human Rights, Preventing Forced Labour and Trafficking

18 December 2013

Glasgow Commonwealth Games

On 22 October 2013 in Glasgow, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Anti-Slavery International and the Institute for Human Rights and Business jointly convened policy makers, business representatives and other organisations to discuss and share information about human rights and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014, particularly issues concerning human trafficking, forced labour and the role of public procurement.

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 2014 are an occasion to showcase all that is best about Scotland and will deliver key opportunities for Scottish business both during the Games and in the longer term. With increased attention will also come greater scrutiny on a range of issues, including those relating to human rights and in particular forced labour and trafficking. Some of these issues will be directly related to the Games, while others reflect pre-existing systemic challenges for Scottish businesses and policymakers. The Commonwealth Games therefore presents a unique opportunity to examine the roles and responsibilities of government and business in ensuring respect for human rights, including preventing forced labour and trafficking.

Striving for Excellence - Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights

12 November 2013

IHRB Mega Sporting Events Paper

This second in a series of occasional papers by IHRB focuses on the breadth of human rights opportunities and risks across the life-cycle of Mega Sporting Events.

International sporting events capture global attention not only because of the excellence of the athletes who compete but also because of the intense competition among nations to host them. 

In part due to the media interest generated by these "Mega Sporting Events" (MSEs), they have become a lightning rod for civil society campaigners and trade unionists that seek to highlight a range of social and environmental concerns across the event life-cycle from host-nation bid to post-event transition.

And because the preparation and staging of major events like the Olympics or World Cup entails large-scale corporate involvement and sponsorship, the companies concerned often become specific targets for campaigning.

The wave of protests in Brazil in June 2013, which saw over a million people take to the streets during the staging of the FIFA Confederations Cup (a dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil), as well as controversies linked to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia and the Qatar FIFA World Cup in 2022, have renewed fundamental questions over the responsibilities of host national governments, and the international sports governing bodies that set the terms for staging MSEs.

Public concern over spiralling costs associated with MSEs is not unique to Brazil, but discontent in the country - primarily focused on corruption and poor or expensive public services - found a visible manifestation in the use of public money to host the World Cup and Olympics. The scale of the opposition, particularly in a country so passionate about sport and football in particular, shines a spotlight on the extent to which social impacts and community views matter and need to be factored into MSE planning.

From the perspective of human rights, MSEs bring both opportunities and risks. Large sporting events precipitate massive public and private investment needed to create new jobs and boost employability, along with the potential for improving essential infrastructure, regenerating urban areas, developing housing and promoting increased participation in sport and healthy living.

At the same time, MSEs – including the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup, the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, the London 2012 Olympics, and forthcoming FIFA World Cups and Olympics in Brazil and Russia – have come under repeated scrutiny from human rights experts and campaigners over a gamut of concerns.

According to some estimates, as many as 1.5 million people were displaced for the Beijing Olympics, while some 35,000 families were evicted from public lands ahead of the New Delhi Games. At the height of the Beijing Olympic venue construction, at least 10 people were killed and some 17,000 workers complained of workplace exploitation. And in the run-up to MSEs in Brazil, a UN human rights expert has reported many allegations of housing rights abuses.