Human Rights Commission and IFA meet to discuss sport and human rights

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has met with the Irish Football Association (IFA) to discuss the promotion and protection of human rights through sport.

This coincides with the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the 25 November.

NIHRC Chief Executive David Russell said:

“Sport is an important platform for the promotion and protection of human rights. The participation of women and girls in football, and the proactive messages and actions of the IFA are welcomed examples of promoting fundamental human rights in Northern Ireland.”

The Commission discussed wider human rights issues around sporting events, including those involving procurement and workers’ rights at the session.”

Michael Boyd, Irish FA Foundation Director of Football Development said:

“It was a great meeting today and has stimulated lots for us to all think about. We are proud of our community programmes and the Irish FA is committed to football for all, creating a fun, safe and inclusive culture throughout all levels of the game. Part of that commitment to football for all involves regular

training and creating time to think about how we can serve the community better. We look forward to working with the Commission more in the future”.

ENDS

Further information

For further information please contact Claire Martin on (028) 9024 3987/ 0771 7731873 or by email on claire.martin@nihrc.org

Notes to Editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body first proposed in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement (1998) and established in 1999 by the Northern Ireland Act (1998). It is answerable to Parliament at Westminster.

2. The Irish Football Association is the governing body for association football in Northern Ireland.

3. The Northern Ireland Business and Human Rights Forum is a multi-stakeholder platform which engages government, business and civil society on business and human rights.

4. 25 November is designated as the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, whereby governments, international organisations as well as NGOs are invited to join together and organise activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

5. The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is a human rights treaty focused on eliminating discrimination against women. It was ratified by the UK in 1986.