ENGSO EWS at the United Nations Human Rights Regional Consultation for Europe

Sarah Townsend participated in the panel addressing the intersection of racial discrimination with discrimination based on gender, religion or belief and disability, and spoke to the intersection of gender and racial discrimination, highlighting the intersectional approach of the ENGSO EWS work.

The consultation took place over two days and brought together a diverse coalition of expertise to explore the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Dedicated sessions addressed specific aspects of the issue and each session was followed with an interactive discussion.

Key takeaways

Key takeaways from this two-day consultation highlight the critical need for a united front in addressing discrimination in sport. Deliberate efforts like this consultation are essential for understanding the roles our organisations can play in combating discrimination and abuse while exploring pathways to create a safer, more inclusive, and enjoyable sporting environment for all. 

The discussion brought together a wealth of expertise and lived experience, with representation from athletes and players, sporting professionals such as referees and officials, as well as change-driven organisations and governing bodies. 

Existing mechanisms, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, provide crucial avenues for applying pressure to drive change. If we simultaneously work to implement this change from within our sporting institutions, we can help shape an evolving sports ecosystem that truly prioritises inclusion.

The event

An introductory session focused on existing international and regional human rights frameworks, examining how actors can leverage these frameworks and corresponding mechanisms. This was followed on the first day by panels that examined:

• the impact of racial discrimination on athletes, effects on their careers and well-being, as well as reporting and accountability mechanisms available to them regional, national, and local initiatives by States, local authorities, sporting bodies and other actors to address racism and racial discrimination in and through sport. It considers results achieved and challenges faced in the practical implementation of such initiatives, including regarding the effective participation of athletes affected by racism
• The second day was dedicated to a discussion on the topic of ‘Is Racism a Safeguarding Issue? The importance of prevention’, followed by a panel that explored the UNGPs in the context of racism and racial discrimination and how they provide a framework for addressing racial injustices in both corporate and institutional settings, including sport with employment and other sectors.

The last part of the day allowed space for participants to reflect on the key themes explored throughout the discussions via an interactive session with the Special Rapporteur and the OHCHR and a final session that concluded the key takeaways from each session.