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Article

3 Feb 2014

Author:
Christine Bader, Human Rights Advisor, BSR

The Sochi Games and human rights: What is the responsibility of corporate sponsors?

With the Winter Olympic Games about to kick off in Sochi, the role of corporate sponsors is under scrutiny...[M]uch of the attention is on what...Olympic corporate partners are doing to speak up for LGBT rights in Russia in light of domestic legislation banning “homosexual propaganda.”...[B]efore urging companies to turn their attention outwards and lobby host governments, we should seek evidence that they are addressing the risks to human rights in their own operations...[T]he United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights codify business’ responsibility to respect human rights. What does that mean specifically for companies involved in major sporting events?...Companies that provide uniforms, equipment, and branded merchandise should have full visibility of their supply chains...Companies involved in infrastructure development should follow the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity. For example, they should make sure that wages are paid on time and in full, and that no passports or identity documents are retained...The travel and tourism sector should use available resources to ensure that they’re not facilitating human trafficking and child sex tourism...[W]e should all be watching the corporate sponsors and partners of major sporting events for not just what they say, but what they do.