Germany and Turkey, the two competing nations bidding to host Euro 2024, have received the official requirements from UEFA, who have added specific criteria relating to human rights measures for the first time.
The human rights measures are based on the United Nations’ “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”.
Back in March, UEFA confirmed that Germany and Turkey were the only countries to formally announce their interest in hosting Euro 2024.
Turkey, who has never hosted a major football tournament would have to compete with Germany, who has hosted the World Cup in 1974 and 2006, and the Euro in 1988.
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s President:
“The protection of human rights and labour rights is of the utmost importance for Uefa. It was imperative for us to introduce specific articles on the respect and protection of human rights in the bidding requirements for all of our competitions. From now on, bidding nations will have to adhere strictly to these articles in the framework of the organisation of all our tournaments and finals.”
Although technically at an advantage over Germany to be given the opportunity to host a major tournament for the first time, the new human rights measures have put Turkey’s bid at risk.
Recent events in Turkey and two declarations from prominent human rights figures will seriously jeopardize Turkey’s bid.
Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, UN rights commissioner:
“I’m very concerned about the renewed state of emergency, which was undertaken in mid-April. Journalism is not a crime in Turkey. It’s an issue which we believe the government must pay deeper attention to.”
Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International:
“A large swathe of Turkey’s independent journalists are languishing behind bars, held for months on end without trial, or facing prosecution on the basis of vague anti-terrorism laws. Today our thoughts are with all journalists who are imprisoned or facing threats and reprisals, but our particular focus is on Turkey where free expression is being ruthlessly muzzled. We call on Turkey’s authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists jailed simply for doing their job.”
The bidders have until April 27, 2018 submit their bids, UEFA’s executive committee will decide in September 2018 who is the winner.
