Protecting human rights in and through sport: obligations and shared responsibilities

Recommendation 2297 (2025)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 25 June 2025 (23rd sitting) (see Doc. 16196, report of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, rapporteur: Mr Kim Valentin). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 June 2025 (23rd sitting).

1. The Parliamentary Assembly recalls Resolution 2607 (2025) “Protecting human rights in and through sport: obligations and shared responsibilities”, which calls for the adoption of binding human rights standards at all levels of sport, in particular to address abuse, discrimination and gender inequality, and urges governments and sports bodies to strengthen protection, transparency and accountability, ensure inclusive participation and embed human rights standards in the organisation of major sports events.

2. Considering that a co-ordinated, multistakeholder approach is essential for lasting change, the Assembly reaffirms the unique role of the Council of Europe in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in and through sport, notably through its conventions on sport and the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS).

3. While commending initiatives such as Start to Talk and All In Plus, and the work of EPAS in the area of inclusive sport more generally, the Assembly remains concerned about persistent reports of abuse, discrimination and human rights violations in sport, especially involving children, women and marginalised groups.

4. To support Council of Europe member States and sports organisations in aligning governance with human rights standards, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

4.1 reinforce the mandate and resources of EPAS to promote human rights in sport, including through the further development of guidance on good governance, safeguarding and anti-discrimination policies;

4.2 task EPAS with devising model provisions for national legislation and sports regulations aimed at preventing abuse, ensuring safe sport environments and supporting victims;

4.3 invite EPAS to continue to create technical tools and indicators to monitor compliance with international human rights and gender equality standards across all levels of sport, in collaboration with national authorities and civil society;

4.4 encourage EPAS to work with international partners, including the European Union and United Nations agencies, to define and promote an international code of safe sport;

4.5 mandate EPAS to assist member States and sports bodies in conducting human rights risk assessments for major sports events, advise on the inclusion of human rights conditionalities in bidding and hosting processes, and facilitate interregional dialogue, especially with emerging economies and low-income countries.

5. The Assembly considers that EPAS is well placed to co-ordinate a Council of Europe-wide approach to safe, inclusive sport based on values and rights. It calls on the Committee of Ministers to ensure that EPAS has the institutional capacity to fulfil this urgent and growing mandate.