THE AFC MUST EMBED HUMAN RIGHTS IN BIDDING PROCEDURE FOR 2027 ASIAN CUP, SAYS SPORTS RIGHTS ALLIANCE

So far India, Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have submitted bids to host the event.

In a letter to the President of the AFC, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the SRA calls on the organisation to include non-negotiable and binding standards on core labour, anti-corruption and human rights in the bidding procedure and Hosting Agreement for the 2027 Asian Cup. Human rights indicators in relation to rights to freedom of expression and assembly, the right to housing and the protection of LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. More persons, human rights defenders, journalists, persons with disabilities and children should also be specified at the bidding stage.

In 2016, FIFA enshrined its responsibility to respect human rights in Article 3 of its Statutes and since set up a Human Rights Advisory Board. The AFC too has included a similar provision in its Statutes. However, world football’s governing body has come under fierce criticism for ignoring human rights abuses, particularly in the exploitation of migrant labour in preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Brendan Schwab, Executive Director World Players Association, part of SRA, said:

“The Sport & Rights Alliance looks to the Asian Football Confederation to uphold its constitutional commitment to respect and promote human rights. Words alone are not enough. It is essential that all bids are prepared and evaluated so as to ensure that human rights are fully respected in the planning, organization and delivery of the event”.

In the letter, the SRA outlines the need for an independent monitoring mechanism to guarantee promises made in the bidding phase, and fixed in the Hosting Agreement, are adhered to over the lifetime of the event. It calls for expert organizations and stakeholders – both local and international – to be consulted and involved in the process from an early stage to ensure transparency and accountability. An inclusive, effective and transparent human rights grievance mechanism, ensuring access to UN Guiding Principles compliant and timely remedies for all affected by sport should also be put in place.

The Sports & Rights Alliance promotes the rights and well-being of those most affected by human rights risks associated with the delivery of sport and includes UNI Global Union and its sector World Players United, as well as include Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, Football Supporters Europe, Human Rights Watch, ILGA World (The International Lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. More, Gayadjective to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional
attractions are to people of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this
term to describe themselves. More, Bisexualadjective used to describe a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of other genders. More, Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More and Intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. More Association), the International Trade Union Confederation, and Transparency International Germany.