Athlete Ally Applauds IOC Publication of Human Rights Strategy Report
December 9, 2020 (New York, NY) — Last week, the International Olympic Committee published a report outlining recommendations for a comprehensive, inclusive human rights strategy. The report publication was a critical step in a process that began in 2018 in close consultation with SHIFT, the leading center of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The report, authored by Shift’s Vice President Rachel Davis and the former UN Human Rights Chief Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, outlines meaningful steps the IOC can take to strengthen its commitment to protecting, respecting and promoting human rights in all areas of the Olympic Movement. Athlete Ally had the opportunity to participate in a number of stakeholder consultations throughout the process and worked to ensure that harm and structural discrimination faced by trans and athletes with intersex variations were identified as critical barriers to meaningful inclusion.
“We applaud the IOC for undergoing such a strategic and thoughtful process to ensure the human rights of athletes and all who are a part of the Olympic Movement are at the center of the conversation,” said Anne Lieberman, Director of Policy and Programs for Athlete Ally. “We look forward to continuing to work with Shift and the IOC to implement these important recommendations and work to make sport a truly inclusive place for all athletes.”
A summary of the recommendations is available here, and the full report can be viewed here.