November 15 – UEFA and the German FA (DFB) have jointly signed the Human Rights Declaration for Euro 2024 stating that the two organisations will uphold and protect human rights during the event, and “create a framework for the implementation of related processes”.
The presentation took place at the Sport and Human Rights conference hosted by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community in Berlin on Tuesday.
UEFA, DFB, and their joint venture EURO 2024 GmbH have shown consistent enthusiasm towards making the upcoming European championships a sporting event where human rights play a pivotal role.
Michele Uva, UEFA’s director of social & environmental sustainability, said: “For UEFA EURO 2024 we have greater goals. We are really happy to sign today’s declaration, as this is an important moment for our sport and for society. UEFA is not only committed to today’s declaration. We are also working closely with non-governmental organisations and stakeholders to develop a detailed approach to the protection and promotion of human rights. It is a real action plan, with numerous actions in place to score the greater goal. We will make sure to turn this ambition into reality”.
The objectives are outlined within the declaration include:
Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion:
The organisers of UEFA EURO 2024 shall ensure that stadiums, working environments and the broader football ecosystem are accessible to all. Diversity and inclusion are celebrated as part of the tournament, ensuring that all social groups and communities can participate. Furthermore, the UEFA Foundation for Children and the DFB foundations will do the utmost to support football and give children access to games.
No discrimination and abuse:
All forms of discrimination and abuse shall be prevented and combatted.
Safety, Health and Well-being:
UEFA EURO 2024 shall be a safe experience for everyone involved in the tournament. Access to healthy food and beverages is provided and physical activity is supported and promoted.
Freedom of speech:
UEFA EURO 2024 shall be an event for everyone. This means that everyone is invited to support their favourite team, celebrate together and exercise their freedom of speech during the tournament.
Heike Ullrich, general secretary of the DFB, said: “Today’s signature marks an important milestone on the road to UEFA EURO 2024. The DFB has committed to fulfilling its socio-political responsibility in terms of social sustainability. It is of particular importance for the DFB that the contents of the Human Rights Declaration for UEFA EURO 2024 and the results of the risk analysis in the run-up to the declaration will also be taken into account in future measures and competitions. UEFA EURO 2024 and the tournament’s Human Rights Declaration will therefore have a lasting impact on the whole of German football, even after the end of the EURO next year.”
UEFA has said that all the stakeholders involved in the tournament, including UEFA, the DFB, EURO 2024 GmbH, the German federal government, the governments of the German federal states (Länder) and the host cities (Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart), will commit themselves to making their joint contribution to presenting a tournament that stands for democracy, respect, tolerance and respect for human rights.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1716202299labto1716202299ofdlr1716202299owedi1716202299sni@g1716202299niwe.1716202299yrrah1716202299