{"id":6224,"date":"2023-12-21T17:43:22","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T14:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d9lb3qyw8jhbr.cloudfront.net\/?p=6224"},"modified":"2023-12-21T17:43:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T14:43:24","slug":"sport-and-human-rights-overview-july-september-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d9lb3qyw8jhbr.cloudfront.net\/en\/sport-and-human-rights-overview-july-september-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Sport and Human Rights: Overview July-September 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

List of Abbre<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ECHR — European Court of Human Rights<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAZ \u2013 Football Federation of Zambia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FIA \u2013 F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de l’Automobile<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FIFA \u2013 F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de Football Association <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FIFPRO \u2013 F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRF \u2013 Federa\u0163ia Rom\u00e2n\u0103 de Fotbal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HFF \u2013 Hellenic Football Federation <\/p>\n\n\n\n

IOC \u2013 International Olympic Committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LFP \u2013 Ligue de Football Professionnel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NCAA \u2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NFF \u2013 Nigeria Foot Federation <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RFU \u2013 Russian Football Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAFA \u2013 South African Football Association <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAFPU \u2013 South African Football Players Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UAF \u2013 Ukrainian Association of Football <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UEFA \u2013 Union of European Football Associations\u0451<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN \u2013 United Nations Organisation <\/p>\n\n\n\n

USSF \u2013 United States Soccer Federation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WADA \u2013 World Anti-Doping Agency\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/object>human-constanta-x-fair-play-en-1<\/a>\u0421\u043a\u0430\u0447\u0430\u0442\u044c<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the report for July-September 2023, we examined the most significant events and news in sport through the prism of international human rights standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Belarus, detentions of the sport industry representatives continue for a variety of reasons: aiding extremist activities, participating in peaceful protests after the 2020 presidential elections, support for Ukraine, and condemnation of Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, among others, constituting a violation of various human rights. The question of allowing Belarusian and Russian athletes to participate in international competitions remains relevant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the analysed period, several important events related to gender equality in sport occurred. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) strengthened the protection of the rights of intersex individuals in sport, including their right to non-discrimination and physical integrity. The first-ever open competitive category for transgender athletes was introduced, and efforts are being made in the world of esport to promote women’s football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From July to August 2023, one of the most anticipated sporting events of the summer took place \u2013 the Women’s World Cup. Despite the prize fund this year being three times higher than the previous World Cup, it is still four times less than the total prize money for the men’s tournament, as well as the pay in women’s football worldwide. Women in all sports still face inequality in pay and working conditions, as well as other human rights violations. In the analysis, we examined examples of women’s struggle against inequality and shared the successes they have achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexual harassment is another current issue in women’s sport, affecting fundamental principles of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination. The most prominent scandal during the analysed period was an unwanted kiss between the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, and footballer Jennifer Hermoso after Spain’s victory in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the analysed period, several incidents related to the activities of football fans occurred \u2013 from political statements in stadiums to a tragedy resulting in the death of one of the fans. These events remind us of the need to involve all stakeholders in ensuring safety at sports events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our material, we also examined news on topics such as Russia’s war against Ukraine, the right to health, issues of toxicity and homophobic remarks in the football environment, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s wrong with human rights in sport in Belarus?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The latest wave of arrests occurred at FC Neman. The coach Dzmitry Belski and the administrator Julia Arlashina of the sports school (\u0421\u0414\u042e\u0428\u041e\u0420) were detained<\/a>. They were forced to record a so-called \u201crepentance video\u201d, published in a Telegram channel, in which the employees stated that they were arrested for subscribing to «extremist» resources. The video also contained the caption: \u201cNeman is confidently moving towards the Conference League because the law enforcement officers are clearing the club of the White-Red-White mould\u201d. In our previous report, we shared<\/a> the news of the arrest of Dzmitry Kovalyonak in June, who was also compelled to record a \u201crepentance video\u201d. Both incidents violate the right to be free from degrading treatment and freedom of expression and require attention and assessment from UEFA. It is worth noting that UEFA considers<\/a> the principle of respecting human rights as one of the fundamental principles of its work, and they claim to strive to ensure a safe and fair access to the game, as well as a safe and inclusive working environment in football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artur Mustyhin, coach of the FC Dinamo-Minsk Academy, was arrested<\/a> for participating in peaceful protests after the 2020 presidential elections. He was also forced to record a \u201crepentance video\u201d in which Mustyhin stated that he participated in a protest after the 2020 elections and sent information to the \u201cVoice\u201d initiative\u2019s chatbot. Now, the coach is facing criminal charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A trial took place for the chess champion of Gomel, Valery Jarotski. The athlete was accused<\/a> of defamation under Article 188 and defamation against the president under part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Jarotski was sent to compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital. The athlete also ended up in the \u201cList of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens or stateless persons involved in extremist activities\u201d, which currently includes 3520<\/a> individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long distance runner Andrej Bierazouski was sentenced<\/a> to 13 days of arrest. The athlete posted a photo on his Facebook page with the caption \u201cGlory to Ukraine\u201d on a blue and yellow background, which was interpreted as an \u201cexpression of civil, political, personal and other interests\u201d and deemed an \u201coffence\u201d by the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sport blogger Dzmitry Sielviestruk faced<\/a> criminal prosecution for \u201cassisting extremist activities\u201d. Sielviestruk is a former employee of the newspaper \u201cNarodnaya Gazeta\u201d and ran his Telegram channel \u201cSilver age. Football of Belarus\u201d, where he published analytical materials on Belarusian football. Sielviestruk was arrested in early May, but the circumstances of the criminal case are still unknown. The blogger may face up to 6 years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bodybuilder Aliaksandr Sharabaiko was sentenced<\/a> to 1.5 years in prison for \u201cinsulting the president\u201d. Sharabaiko participated<\/a> in peaceful protests in Belarus in 2020, for which he repeatedly received administrative arrests. The bodybuilder was detained<\/a> in March 2023 and initially received 10 days of arrest for \u201cspreading extremist materials\u201d. Later, he was transferred to a pre-trial detention centre, where he was charged and a criminal case was initiated against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aforementioned events indicate ongoing serious violations of human rights in Belarus: the right of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom from degrading treatment. De facto authorities in Belarus continue to persecute dissenting representatives of the sport industry and deprive them of the right to practise their profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics) has adopted<\/a> a set of criteria allowing athletes with Belarusian and Russian sport citizenship to participate in international competitions in a neutral status. The document, which came into force on September 4, 2023, states that athletes and their support personnel from Belarus and Russia can compete in all World Aquatics disciplines if they:<\/p>\n\n\n\n