On the one hand, sport is an element of social integration and cohesion, which furthers tolerance and understanding and thus contributes to the promotion of the core values of the Council of Europe – Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.
On the other hand, there are some serious human rights violations connected to sport as well – chief among them spectator violence, doping, corruption, and match-fixing. In order to combat these human rights violations, the Council of Europe has set up several conventions over the years:
- European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches (CETS No. 120)
- Anti-Doping Convention (CETS No. 135)
- Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (CETS No. 215)
Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS)
Based on the existing Council of Europe sports standards, the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) was established in 2007.
The partial agreement aims at giving fresh momentum to pan-European sports co-operation, addressing the current challenges facing sport in Europe, making sport healthier and fairer, and ensuring that it conforms to high ethical standards.
