Human Rights in Sport Checklist: Sport, Human Rights and Development

Mary A. HumsUniversity of Louisville

Co-FounderAthletes for Human Rights

What is meant by “sport?”

All forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction, such as play, recreation, organized orcompetitive sport, and indigenous sports and games.

(United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace, 2003)

Sport and Human Rights - Two Dimensions

1. Sport as a human right2. Using sport to promote human rights

Numerous United Nations human rights documents deal to some degree with sport

1. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)2. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)3. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)4. UNESCO, International Charter on Physical Education and Sport5. Declaration of the Rights of the Child

6. Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War7. Universal Declaration of Human Rights 8. International Convention Against Apartheid in Sports, G.A. Res. 23969. The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights10. UNESCO, Convention Against Doping in Sport

Other Human Rights organization documents refer to sport

1. Amnesty International2. Human Rights Watch

Conversely, a number of sport organization documents refer to Human Rights

1. The Olympic Charter and Agenda 2020 - Principle 6

2. European Charter for Sports3. Draft Sport Policy Framework for Africa (2008-2018)

Checklist idea sprang from work on 1. sport for people with disabilities2. sport and human rights3. sport for development and peace4. sport and social change

Checklist contents:

Social RightsHealth and Safety RightsSport as Employment RightsJustice in Sport RightsEnvironmental RightsFinancial Rights

SOCIAL RIGHTS- Non-discrimination/Equity in Sporting Participation - Right to Physical Education - Fair Play - Inclusive Facilities and Equipment - Self-Determination

HEALTH AND SAFETY RIGHTS- Right to Health, including not Doping - Protection Against Abuse and Violence - Safety and Security  - Injuries and Rehabilitation

SPORT AS EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS- Sport-related Labor Conditions - Employment and Hiring Practices

JUSTICE IN SPORT RIGHTS- Right to Due Process  - Access to Information - Freedom of Speech - Right to Privacy

ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS- Environmental Violations

FINANCIAL RIGHTS- Displacement of Persons  - Access and Availability of Resources/Financial Spending

Sport and human rights intersect on different levels:

HumanLegalEconomicEnvironmental

Hence a sport and human rights checklist can have a broad reach

Thank you

Questions? Human Rights in Sport Checklist:

Sport, Human Rights and Development Mary A. Hums, University of LouisvilleCo-Director, Athletes for Human Rights