HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HOLDS PANEL DISCUSSION ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Swedish Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights was concerned that lesbian, bisexual and transgender women were not referred to in the 2030 Agenda, and risked being left behind in its implementation. It called for the adoption of human rights sensitive indicators to monitor progress for all people.
COUNCIL HOLDS PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE USE OF SPORT AND THE OLYMPIC IDEAL TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL
Miki Matheson, Project Manager at the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Centre and three-time Paralympic gold medalist in ice sledge speed racing, said that para-sports could foster equality, fairness and inclusion, and contribute to conflict resolution.
Ms. Matheson mentioned a Japanese Government initiative called “Sport for Tomorrow”, which aimed to spread values learned through sports and increase awareness of the Olympic and Paralympic movement worldwide. This was a great example of how sporting events such as the Paralympic and Olympic Games were helpful in a human rights context as they encouraged the integration of people regardless of age, race, gender, nationality, religion, politics, physical or mental condition, marital status or sexual orientation.
United States noted that sports events could also lead to adverse human rights impact for persons with disabilities, journalists and social media users, migrant workers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, women and children, racial minorities and indigenous communities.
Egypt underlined that sports competitions could have significant potential in promoting human rights, especially in areas such as combatting racism and promoting tolerance, eradicating poverty and advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.