What measures have been taken to protect human rights during operations related to the Games?
The IOC recognises and upholds human rights, as enshrined in both the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics. It is committed to improving the promotion and respect of human rights within the scope of its responsibility across its three spheres of influence – as an organisation, as the owner of the Olympic Games and as the leader of the Olympic Movement.
In 2017, as part of the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC adopted new procedures to ensure that Games-related activities further minimise negative impacts on people while maximising positive ones, in order to ensure that respect for human rights can become an important dimension of the success of Games.
The Olympic Host Contract has been strengthened with the inclusion of a dedicated requirement for Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) and hosts to “protect and respect human rights and ensure any violation of human rights is remedied in a manner consistent with international agreements, laws and regulations applicable in the Host Country and in a manner consistent with all internationally recognised human rights standards and principles, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), applicable in the Host Country”.
The 2018 “Operational Requirements” of the Olympic Games also include stronger provisions protecting human rights related to the operations of the Games, and require OCOGs to adopt a policy commitment and develop and implement a comprehensive human rights strategy that covers all their operations, in close cooperation with the host city and country, and all their partners. These requirements apply to the hosts from 2024 onwards.