UEFA Euro 2024: A Robust Commitment to Human Rights Takes Center Stage

In a landmark move highlighting the growing importance of social responsibility in sports, UEFA and the German Football Association (DFB) have jointly presented a comprehensive Human Rights Declaration for UEFA EURO 2024. Unveiled at a significant Sport and Human Rights conference in Berlin, hosted by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, this declaration firmly establishes the framework for upholding and actively protecting human rights throughout the prestigious EURO 2024 tournament. This initiative underscores just how much importance UEFA and DFB are placing on ethical conduct and social impact alongside sporting excellence.

This groundbreaking declaration is not a solitary effort but rather the culmination of extensive collaboration and a synergistic approach between various key players. UEFA and the DFB have worked closely with the host nation and host cities, ensuring a unified front. Crucially, the declaration’s development has benefited from the valuable insights and recommendations of diverse interest groups, stakeholders, and renowned human rights experts. Organizations such as the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, the Sport and Rights Alliance, the EURO 2024 Stakeholder-Initiative, and the German Institute for Human Rights have all contributed to shaping this robust framework.

From the very inception of the tournament’s planning stages, UEFA, DFB, and their joint venture, EURO 2024 GmbH, have been unwavering in their commitment to making UEFA EURO 2024 a sporting event that champions human rights. They view this commitment not merely as an add-on but as an integral factor contributing to the overall success and positive legacy of the tournament. Human rights are enshrined as a core guiding principle within the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities surrounding EURO 2024, as clearly outlined in the tournament’s comprehensive ESG strategy. This integrated approach led to the consensus among all involved parties to formally adopt a dedicated Human Rights Declaration for UEFA EURO 2024, demonstrating how much integrated human rights are into the tournament’s DNA.

Michele Uva, UEFA’s director of social & environmental sustainability, speaking at the conference, articulated the ambitious goals for EURO 2024. “For UEFA EURO 2024 we have greater goals,” he stated. “We are really happy to sign today’s declaration, as this is an important moment for our sport and for society.” He further emphasized UEFA’s proactive stance, highlighting their close collaboration with non-governmental organizations and stakeholders to develop a meticulous approach to both the protection and active promotion of human rights. Uva described this approach as a “real action plan, with numerous actions in place to score the greater goal,” reiterating UEFA’s commitment to translating ambition into tangible reality.

Heike Ullrich, the general secretary of the German Football Association, echoed this sentiment, noting that “Today’s signature marks an important milestone on the road to UEFA EURO 2024.” Ullrich affirmed the DFB’s commitment to fulfilling its “socio-political responsibility in terms of social sustainability.” She underscored the particular importance for the DFB that the principles enshrined within the Human Rights Declaration for UEFA EURO 2024, along with the findings of the pre-declaration risk analysis, will be actively incorporated into future measures and competitions, showcasing how much long-term impact this declaration is intended to have.

The declaration meticulously outlines key objectives, setting clear benchmarks for human rights integration throughout EURO 2024:

• Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion: Ensuring stadiums, work environments, and the broader football ecosystem are accessible to all. Celebrating diversity and inclusion as integral components of the tournament, guaranteeing participation for all social groups and communities. Furthermore, the UEFA Foundation for Children and the DFB foundations will actively work to support grassroots football and expand children’s access to games.
• No Discrimination and Abuse: Proactively preventing and vigorously combating all forms of discrimination and abuse.
• Safety, Health and Well-being: Creating a safe and secure experience for everyone involved in EURO 2024. Providing access to healthy food and beverages and actively supporting and promoting physical activity.
• Freedom of Speech: Ensuring UEFA EURO 2024 remains an inclusive event for everyone, where all individuals are welcome to support their teams, celebrate collectively, and freely exercise their freedom of speech throughout the tournament.

This firm commitment is reinforced by specific actions embedded within the UEFA EURO 2024 ESG strategy, encompassing key areas such as the protection of rights, diversity and inclusion, health and well-being, and solidarity. The human-rights focused activities will be subject to continuous evaluation, with regular reporting on progress and measures implemented.

In the preparation and execution of UEFA EURO 2024, all participating stakeholders – UEFA, the DFB, EURO 2024 GmbH, the German federal government, the governments of the German federal states, and the host cities – are united in their commitment to jointly contribute to a tournament that stands as a beacon of democracy, respect, tolerance, and unwavering respect for human rights.

All actions are meticulously aligned with the internationally recognized United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which also form the bedrock of Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), demonstrating how much these principles are embedded in the operational framework.