Addressing delegates at the 19th Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport in Monaco, Agnes Sirkka Prammer, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Parliamentary Alliance on Good Governance and Integrity in Sport, delivered a compelling call for greater inclusion and rigorous human rights standards across sporting venues.
Marking the tenth anniversary of the Saint-Denis Convention, Prammer stressed that physical safety, security measures, and spectator services must go hand in hand to foster genuinely welcoming environments.
Opening her address, Prammer noted that a welcoming atmosphere is not merely an optional luxury but a fundamental pillar in preventing violence and discrimination during sporting fixtures. When spectators feel respected and included, the entire sporting ecosystem benefits.
However, she cautioned that high-level commitments alone remain insufficient. Racism, sexism, hate speech, and systemic discrimination continue to pose serious challenges, while accessibility and inclusion demand far greater attention from industry stakeholders. While major sporting events have shown progress in recognizing human rights responsibilities, translating those pledges into everyday operational practice remains difficult.
Embedding human rights due diligence
Prammer asserted that human rights due diligence must evolve into standard operating procedure rather than remaining a superficial box-ticking exercise. Sports federations, event promoters, and host governments are urged to systematically identify operational risks, allocate adequate financial and administrative resources, engage proactively with supporters and local communities, and guarantee that effective safeguards and legal remedies are readily accessible. Although primary responsibility for upholding human rights rests with national governments, international sports governing bodies must lead by example.
As parliamentarians, representatives hold a distinct duty to translate these foundational principles into concrete legislative action. Lawmakers can strengthen institutional accountability, critically scrutinize public sports policies, and promote practical guidelines ensuring that human rights are rigorously protected at major tournaments and community venues alike.
Inspiring practical models across Europe
The Alliance meeting also highlighted encouraging initiatives spearheaded by football clubs and supporter groups, pointing to Athletic Club Bilbao as a prime example of how practical measures successfully transform stadia into inclusive spaces. Prammer urged stakeholders to build upon these success stories and encourage their widespread adoption across international borders.
The core ambition remains straightforward: creating modern sporting venues where supporters from every background can enjoy matches free from fear, including children, families, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Concluding her remarks, Prammer summarized the ultimate benchmark for success:
“A sporting event is not truly successful simply because the match goes well. It is successful when everyone can take part, feel they belong and go home with positive memories. That is the standard we should strive for, and the responsibility we must share.”
