UN and Football Association of Ireland to promote human rights at 11 June World Cup game

GENEVA (9 June 2017) - The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Austria in Dublin on Sunday 11 June will see the Football Association of Ireland join forces with the UN Human Rights Office to promote human rights – on and off the field.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein will attend the match, after two weeks of mobilization for human rights on social media by Irish supporters and players. Various activities linked to the UN Human Rights Office’s campaign “Stand up for someone’s rights today,” will take place in the stands and on the pitch at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

“Football can be – should be -- a powerful force for equality, diversity and integration,” said Laurent Sauveur, the UN Human Rights Office’s director of communications and fundraising. “Our partnership with the Football Association of Ireland is designed to capitalize on sporting values and the vital role sports can play in combatting discrimination. Given the unmatched global impact of football, and its appeal across all sectors of society, it is clear that players, fans and administrators can, and should, have a significant influence on the fight against racism and other forms of discrimination.”

High Commissioner Zeid has called for a concerted effort to tackle racism and xenophobia at both the national and international levels. He described Ghanian midfielder Sulley Muntari as “an inspiration” when he walked off the pitch after being the target of racist abuse during a Serie A game in Italy at the end of April.  Racism in sport by fans and competitors is an ongoing concern of the UN Human Rights Office, which has previously worked with international stars Patrick Vieira and Kevin-Prince Boateng to help kick racism out of football – and out of society at large.

The partnership with the Football Association of Ireland is part of a global effort by the UN Human Rights Office to push back against racism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination.

“`Stand up for someone’s rights today´ is a campaign that asks all of us to play a meaningful role in promoting and defending human rights in our daily lives and communities. In the workplace, at home, in public transport, on the pitch – all of us have the power to defend the rights of others,” said Sauveur. “And what better, more passionate, occasion to promote that message, than a World Cup Qualifier?"

ENDS

To know more: http://www.standup4humanrights.org/en/highlight_fai.html

For more information and media requests, please contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 97 67 / rcolville@ohchr.org) or Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 9466 / ethrossell@ohchr.org) or Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 91 69 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org)

Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today.  #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org

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