A/HRC/13/20
their application. In 2004, the FIFA Executive Committee approved a code of ethics, which
was subsequently amended in 2006. The code of ethics requests all FIFA officials to
comply with the principles and objectives of FIFA. The supreme body of FIFA is its
Congress, which elects the President and the Executive Committee. The FIFA Ethics
Committee is its third judicial organ, alongside the Disciplinary Committee and the Appeals
Committee.
43.
The core values of FIFA are defined as authenticity, unity, performance and
integrity. Among the general provisions of its statutes, FIFA incorporated a policy of “nondiscrimination and stance against racism”, as well as the promotion of friendly relations in
“society for humanitarian objectives”. In 2005, the FIFA Congress introduced a new pillar
to the institution’s mission, summarized now as: “Develop the game, touch the world, and
build a better future”. Understanding football as an “integrated part of society”, FIFA has a
duty “to spearhead a concrete and positive contribution to sustainable development through
football”. FIFA has also decided to play a socially responsible role and has committed itself
to making a major contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.53
44.
Overall, despite these recent commitments, it is difficult to find in FIFA procedures
and regulations any standards to help the institution and its members integrate a human
rights approach to its daily activities. Although the changes in the FIFA mission are
commendable, it is necessary to translate them into practice. It is particularly important that
international standards on the right to adequate housing be introduced in the procedures and
regulations involved in the organization of the FIFA World Cup. This could be a first step
towards the realization of a new mission for the federation.
C.
Bidding and selection processes
45.
The bidding or selection process is the first stage in the preparation for a megaevent. It is also a key moment to introduce the necessary standards to ensure that the
protection of human rights, in particular the right to adequate housing, will be endorsed by
all relevant stakeholders and guaranteed throughout the organization of the event.
1.
International Olympic Committee
46.
The procedures of the International Olympic Committee concerning the bidding and
selection process are bound by the Olympic Charter and the code of ethics. In addition, the
“Rules of Conduct applicable to all Cities wishing to organize the Olympic Games” (2007)
are enforceable as soon as a city submits its application.
47.
The bidding and selection process of the Committee is a fairly structured and
formalized procedure with a number of stages, institutions and requirements involved. The
stages include the selection of an applicant city at the national level, the procedure of
acceptance of international candidatures, the candidature procedure and the selection of the
host city. Once a city has been selected as host, it enters a host city contract outlining the
rights and obligations of each party. The Committee can withdraw the bid of a city and
revoke the permission of a host city to organize the Olympics. The Ethics Commission may
also investigate complaints of infringement of the code of ethics. In addition, the
Committee does not enter into agreements with organizations that do not comply with
Olympic Movement principles. These procedures serve as an accountability and
enforcement mechanism that can be used to ensure that the candidate or host cities comply
with their commitments, Olympic principles and international human rights standards.
53
14
“Football for Hope”, FIFA, Zurich, 2004, pp.8–9.
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