HRCHTMLField1 Athletes with disabilities should enjoy the same level of support as all other athletes, High Commissioner tells Human Rights Council
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5 March 2021
5 March 2021
The Human Rights Council this afternoon held its annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities on the theme “Participation in sport under article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”.
In her opening statement, Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, said sport contributed powerfully to an individual's health and well-being. It reinforced inclusion in the community and complemented an enormous spectrum of broader physical activities in daily life, including through recreation and leisure. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognized the role of sport and physical activities in fostering inclusion – and efforts should be increased to make their social, emotional and health benefits available, equally, to persons with disabilities. Athletes with disabilities should enjoy the same level of support as all other athletes, so that they, too, could excel. States and sports organizations should increase their efforts to address existing inequalities, ensuring access to appropriate assistive technologies and financial support.