A/HRC/40/72
to inspire others. The Olympic Games and sport had provided her with opportunities to
nurture talents and share experiences. Refugees’ participation in sports had inspired
millions of forcibly displaced youth around the world. Sports protected young refugee girls
from harmful practices and prevented young people from taking drugs. Sports, education,
freedom of movement and freedom of worship were important human rights for refugees.
Ms. Lokonyen called upon all to continue to protect refugees and others longing for peace.
11.
The Chair-Rapporteur presented a short documentary about sports, human rights,
peace, reconciliation and unity in Sri Lanka. This was followed by general statements by
Belarus, Brazil, France, Greece, Japan, Qatar and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Others who took the floor included representatives from the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UNESCO-coordinated Youth and Sport Task
Force, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Global Commission on the Future of
Work, the International Paralympic Committee, World Indigenous Nations Sports
International, the Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, the Equality League
(Pakistan), Association Le Pont, the World Players Association (also representing the
Sports and Rights Alliance), the University of Physical Education (Hungary) and the
Interdisciplinary Centre for Sports Science and Development, University of the Western
Cape (South Africa). Delegates referred to General Assembly and Human Rights Council
resolutions on the promotion of human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal, and
acknowledged the role played by the Kazan Action Plan. Basic values in founding
documents of the human rights and Olympic movements were universal, and promoted
solidarity, transparency, equity and non-discrimination. Sports created opportunities to
celebrate diversity, fight racism and xenophobia, and promote gender equality and the right
to health. Sporting events and activities were uniquely placed to promote inclusive societies
with respect to all human rights, including the right to development, and to promote
sustainable development and sustainable cities. The practice of sport was a human right.
Sports also promoted peace, through dialogue, understanding, trust and reconciliation
among peoples, and multilateralism. At a time of migration crisis, the Refugee Olympic
Team presented opportunities to raise awareness of the challenges faced by displaced
persons. Delegates recommended human rights mainstreaming in sport events and the
adoption of special measures to promote accessibility for persons with disabilities and equal
participation of men and women, and rights of specific groups, such as minorities and
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Other participants emphasized the
role of sport in realizing the human rights of youth and children, women and girls and
indigenous peoples. They also underscored the role of trade unions of athletes and other
workers related to sport events.
12.
In response, Mr. Parsons emphasized the importance of collecting data to assess the
human rights and accessibility legacies of mega sporting events. Physical education was an
integral part of a values-oriented education. Ms. Moutawakel highlighted the transformative
power of sport and mega sporting events to support sustainable development objectives in
countries. She referred to efforts to promote the participation of women and youth in sports
and its governance at all levels. Mr. Al-Thawadi stated that creativity around sport events
allowed for new ways of promoting human rights, including those of indigenous and
displaced persons. Ms. Lokonyen spoke about the role of sports in promoting gender
equality, peace and hope and in giving voice to refugees.
B.
“Born free and equal in dignity and rights”: sports, human solidarity
and universal values for all humanity
13.
Kipchoge Keino, recipient of the 2016 Olympic Laurel and member of the National
Olympic Committee of Kenya, argued that the right to participate in sports was the most
important human right of athletes, including women, youth, persons with disabilities and
refugees. Political boycotts of Olympic Games undermined that right. Doping denied
athletes the chance to participate in games within the bounds of fair play. The right to
freedom of movement should ensure that athletes could participate in games abroad. States
should invest in infrastructure and improve the coaching for all sports to allow athletes to
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