“Urgency Needed: Addressing Sexual Abuse Claims by Indian Athletes at Olympics”

Sport & Rights Alliance Demands Action on Sexual Abuse Complaints by Indian Athletes

The Sport & Rights Alliance has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take action to ensure reports of alleged sexual abuse of athletes by the President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, are fully investigated. The call comes after six women and a child filed complaints of sexual abuse with the police against Singh, a prominent member of parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Singh denies the allegations and made derogatory remarks against the complainants. Despite the IOC calling for an investigation in line with local law, the Indian authorities have been reluctant to act, only initiating a police investigation after the complainants filed a petition in the Supreme Court.

India’s response

India’s 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act provides protection to all workers in the public and private sectors, including health, sports, education, or government institutions. However, the Indian authorities have forcibly tackled and detained athletes who have attempted to protest over the allegations, including two Olympic wrestlers. Indian authorities disbanded their month-long protest site on May 28.

Sport & Rights Alliance response

Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator of the Sport & Rights Alliance, said: “Indian officials might stoutly claim to defend the rights of women and girls, but when it has been put to test by the country’s foremost athletes, the authorities have resorted to victim blaming and shaming.” The Sport & Rights Alliance has called on the IOC to prioritize the safety and freedom of all athletes. The alliance called on the Indian government to ensure that the investigation is credible and time-bound. Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch, said that the IOC has made safeguarding athletes a priority, and it should use its leverage and stand with athletes seeking to protect children from abuse in sport. However, India must make significant human rights improvements, not least for safety and freedom of its athletes, before any bid for a future Olympic Games is considered.

IOC must take charge

The IOC should call on the Indian government to give an update on the investigation into the allegations, and ensure that the investigation is independent, impartial, credible, and time-bound. An internal investigation should be led by a group of experts with a proven track record in safeguarding and trauma-informed investigations who have the capacity to actively participate in all matters regarding the process. In October, India will host the 140th IOC session in Mumbai, which could lead to a planned 2036 Olympic bid. The IOC should ensure that any bid from India is contingent on significant human rights improvements, including the safety and freedom of India’s own athletes. This should be a priority in line with its own IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights.

Conclusion

This situation highlights the urgent need to address sexual abuse issues in sport and to prioritize the wellbeing of athletes. The IOC should take the lead in safeguarding athletes and their rights. It should ensure that any future Olympic Games bid is tied directly to the improvement of human rights standards in the host country. Additionally, The Indian government has a duty to investigate fully and independently the allegations of sexual abuse and guarantee the protection and rights of athletes who bravely come forward to report allegations of abuse.

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