A/HRC/62/55
not take part in any act of racial discrimination or further programmes that lead to racial
inequality. Furthermore, where racism, racial inequality or racial discrimination exists,
including in systemic, structural and intersectional forms, States Parties have an obligation
to take effective and immediate action.
49.
Obligations to achieve racial equality and ensure non-discrimination extend to all
areas of government policy and influence, including the public governance of sports and the
regulation of the business entities that are involved in sports governance. Whether the racial
discrimination occurring within sporting domains is intentional or not is irrelevant to the duty
of States Parties to act, given the scope of the prohibition of racial discrimination under the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other
human rights treaties.
50.
States Parties must also ensure that all racial and ethnic groups enjoy the full scope of
their human rights in the context of sport as encompassed in article 5 of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Article 5 provides for
equality before the law, including the rights to equal participation in cultural activities and to
equal treatment before the tribunals and all other organs administering justice. Article 15 of
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also establishes the right
to equal participation in cultural life. As stated by the Special Rapporteur in the field of
cultural rights, “the right to participate in sports, whether grass-roots, amateur, professional,
or elite, falls firmly within the scope of cultural rights, defined as rights relating to identities
and ways of life”.59
51.
In relation to the racist incidents that occur at sporting events and racial hatred on
social media, the Special Rapporteur highlights the importance of article 4 of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Pursuant to article 4,
States Parties are to condemn all propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas
or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour or ethnic origin, or
which attempt to justify or promote racial hatred and discrimination in any form, and
undertake to adopt immediate and positive measures designed to eradicate all incitement to,
or acts of, such discrimination. Additional human rights standards, including general
recommendation No. 35 (2013) of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination and the Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial
or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence,
elaborate further on the obligations of States to prevent, address and remedy hate speech,
including online hatred.60
52.
International human rights law, including article 6 of the International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, provides that all persons who are
subjected to racial discrimination have a right of access to remedies, which also applies in
cases in which discrimination occurs within the context of sport.
53.
The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action recognizes that racism and racial
discrimination persist in many areas of life, including cultural and sporting activities. In
paragraph 218 of the Programme of Action, States are urged to work, in cooperation with
intergovernmental organizations, the International Olympic Committee and international and
regional sports federations, to intensify the fight against racism in sport. In that regard, States
are encouraged to promote tolerance, respect and intercultural dialogue through sport and
undertake educational and awareness-raising initiatives through sport, especially targeting
youth.
54.
Private entities play a significant role in the management of sports. The Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights outline the relevant obligations of Governments
and the relevant human rights responsibilities of both Governments and businesses. The
Guiding Principles establish that States must protect against human rights abuses committed
by third parties within their territory and/or jurisdiction, including business enterprises. States
should provide such protection by ensuring effective policies, legislation, regulations and
adjudication, among other actions. The Guiding Principles establish the responsibility of
59
60
14
A/79/299, para. 4.
See also A/78/538.
GE.26-07112