Sport can be used to advance the human rights of everyone. It provides an opportunity to promote a set of universal values amongst everyone involved in sport, from participants and fans to workers, local communities and governments.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has been working in the field of sport and human rights since 2016, building partnerships with sporting bodies and promoting the importance of embedding human rights in sport.
During its tenure as chair of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (2015-18), the Commission developed a draft declaration on sport and human rights which set out national human rights institutions’ commitments to protecting and promoting human rights through sport. This became the London Declaration on Sport and Human Rights, and was adopted by members of the Commonwealth Forum in London in 2018.
The Declaration of Sport and Human Rights was launched in May 2019, and currently has 20 signatories. The Northern Ireland Sport and Human Rights Forum was established at the same time and meets three times a year to discuss relevant topics, share best practice and connect with other sporting organisations. Find out more about the Forum and the Declaration using the links below.
