New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, held a hybrid open house discussion on “Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons” at its headquarters in New Delhi. The event, chaired by Acting Chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, aimed to explore measures for strengthening protections for athletes, emphasizing the importance of an institutionalized framework for respecting the human rights of sportspersons.
In her address, Acting Chairperson Sayani highlighted the critical link between human rights and the spirit of sportsmanship, asserting that recognizing and safeguarding the rights of athletes is essential to fostering national sporting talent. She emphasized the need for policies that address intersectional discrimination, which can hinder participation, particularly for women athletes facing barriers like racism, homophobia, and ableism.
The discussion underscored the importance of judicial mechanisms to address athlete rights violations and support rehabilitation, including addressing mental health challenges that athletes may face. Director General of Investigation for NHRC, Ajay Bhatnagar, reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on sexual abuse in sports, emphasizing that institutions and sports bodies are accountable for the protection of athletes.
Joint Secretary of NHRC, Devendra Kumar Nim, outlined the day’s agenda, which included technical sessions on key issues such as “Rehabilitation of Sportspersons after Incidents of Abuse,” “Mental Health of Sportspersons in India,” and “Institutional Frameworks Required to Safeguard Interests of Sportspersons.”
Key recommendations from the discussions included:
- Coaches should receive training in clinical psychology to better support athletes.
- Enhanced awareness among athletes to report abuse and harassment.
- Establishing responsive institutional mechanisms for addressing sexual harassment complaints in sports bodies.
- Streamlined insurance benefits for athletes affected by sports injuries.
- Strengthening support systems for para-athletes and enhancing equity for athletes from marginalized communities.
The open house saw participation from various sports and human rights organizations, including representatives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, National Sports University, Wrestling Federation of India, and GoSports Foundation, as well as international organizations like Sports and Rights Alliance and Humans for Sports.
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