In March 2021, the International Human Rights Center of Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, and the Henry J. Leir Institute of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy submitted a communication (UN jargon for “case”) to the UN Human Rights Committee against Russia. The victims are Yuliya Stepanova, a former runner of the Russian national team, and Vitaly Stepanov, her husband and a former officer of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency. The Stepanovs are the whistleblowers who revealed the Russian doping program, and their story has been widely discussed in the press.
This is the first case brought before a UN Human Rights body concerning doping. It goes to the core of several key issues concerning the relation between athletes and States and sports governing bodies. The communication alleges that Yuliya’s right not to be subject to torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment was violated when she was pushed into taking doping substances without her informed and free consent. It also argues that State-sponsored doping programs, like the Russian one, are a form of forced labor, since athletes are exploited to pursue the goals of the State. It also argues their right to freedom of expression and communication of information and their right to privacy, family and honor have been violated, due to the intense smear campaign launched and threats leveled against them in Russia. Many of these arguments are novel and of great importance for the sports world, as well as the international law and human rights communities.
The complete document submitted to the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is available here.
Learn more about the International Human Rights Center.