Human rights advisory board announced for Women's EURO 2025
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Article summary
We are pleased to mark international Human Rights Day, observed annually on 10 December, by announcing the establishment of a dedicated human rights advisory board for next year's final tournament in Switzerland.
Article top media content
Article body
Building on the success of a similar initiative for the men's EURO in 2024 – a first for a major sporting event – the new board comprises representatives from civil society, diversity and inclusions experts, public authorities, national associations and former players to ensure a wide range of perspectives and a comprehensive approach to human rights protection.
The board will provide a platform for structured engagement with stakeholders on an essential aspect of organising major sporting events, by helping to enhance our human rights measures as we reflect on the achievements, insights and recommendations highlighted in a recent review of EURO 2024 from the Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR).
“EURO 2024 was the first time that a major sporting event adopted a human rights declaration."
Assessing the outcomes of that initiative, the CSHR review "welcomes the series of human rights initiatives undertaken by UEFA for EURO 2024, UEFA's responsiveness to human rights stakeholders in the run-up to and during the tournament, and the access and transparency afforded to members of the board".
Mirroring the men's tournament, our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy for Women's EURO 2025 aims to promote human rights by creating an inclusive and welcoming tournament for all.
The upcoming final tournament will lead by example, demonstrating how the football community can accelerate its action on these topics to meet society's increasing expectations.
Our ambition is to deliver UEFA Women's EURO 2025 to the highest sustainability standards and in full alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The advisory board will embody this ambition and our commitment to ensuring and respecting human rights for all.
Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark document that enshrines the inalienable rights of all people. This year's theme, Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now, highlights human rights as a pathway to solutions for today's global challenges.
UEFA's core purpose to promote football aligns with the fundamental principles of the Declaration, including anti-discrimination, gender equity, child safety, inclusion, and accessibility. These pillars are central to UEFA's continuous efforts in upholding human rights values and stand as the cornerstone of UEFA's sustainability strategy Strength Through Unity.