Rights group praises IOC on human rights clause

STEPHEN WILSON
AP Sports Writer

LONDON (AP) — It’s not every day that the International Olympic Committee receives kudos from human rights groups.

Human Rights Watch, however, is commending the IOC for including a new clause on human rights protection in the contract for future host cities and urging FIFA and other sports bodies to follow suit.

The IOC had already added new language on non-discrimination in the host city contract, a move prompted by the international outcry over the law prohibiting gay “propaganda” enacted by Russia ahead of February’s Winter Games in Sochi.

Now, HRW is praising the IOC for including a clause on respecting international standards on labor and environment rights related to the Olympics.

Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at HRW, tweeted: “Gold Medal to IOC (and) Thomas Bach for putting human rights in Host City Contracts.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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