Sportswashing: The Human Rights Implications of Mega Sporting Events

This episode of Intersections reviews the human rights news of the week, including the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act going into effect, and the initiative by the UK government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Human Rights Initiative Director Marti Flacks also discusses major developments in the world of sports and the unexpected human rights connections there with Mary Harvey, CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

Additional resources:

• Centre for Sport and Human Rights: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/

• The Fan’s Guide to Human Rights: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/news/cshr-and-football-supporters-europe-release-fans-human-rights-guide/

• FIFA Human Rights Policy: https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/1a876c66a3f0498d/original/kr05dqyhwr1uhqy2lh6r-pdf.pdf

• BHRRC Qatar World Cup Portal: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-parallel-portal/

• US-Mexico-Canada “United” Bid Human Rights Strategy: https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/35837f1073bdad15/original/s2xnrvfjg9kp0zelhxnt-pdf.pdf

• Dignity 2026 coalition: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/group-asks-for-living-wages-labor-rights-for-2026-world-cup/2022/06/25/44723046-f44f-11ec-ac16-8fbf7194cd78_story.html