The realisation of human rights is a global concern. This concerns all areas of society, including sport. At the same time, criticism of human rights violations, for example in the context of major sporting events, has increased enormously in recent years. There is denunciation of evictions of disadvantaged populations, inhumane working conditions on World Cup construction sites, discrimination against gays and lesbians in the host countries, or child labour in the production of sports goods. Against the backdrop of allegations of corruption in leading international sports associations, the legitimacy of sport is suffering.

However, sport in particular has the potential to have a positive impact on human rights. Due to its social and economic importance, its inclusive potential and values, the sport movement has the opportunity to lead the way in realising a culture of human rights, in the context of major sporting events, but also at national and everyday club level.

The Working Group on Sport and Human Rights was launched by the Ministry of Sport in 2015. The main aim of the working group is to build a sustainable network. Actors in Austrian sport and human rights organisations should get in touch with each other through this platform and learn from each other in order to tackle human rights challenges and potentials and to align national positions - also for the international level.

The fairplay activities within the framework of the "AG Sport und Menschenrechte" (Working Group on Sport and Human Rights) are significantly promoted by the Federal Ministry of Public Service and Sport (BMÖDS) and supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation.

Current information can be found on www.sportundmenschenrechte.at.