Preamble
The Glasgow 2026 Organising Company has been established to deliver the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games. The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2026) promises an altogether brilliant Commonwealth Games, paving the way for a new era of Commonwealth Sport.
Taking place from 23 July to 2 August, Glasgow 2026 is an 11-day celebration that combines world-class sport with a future-focused vision, built and delivered by the vibrant spirit of Glasgow. With up to 3,000 athletes from the 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, supported by 3,000 volunteers, the city will turn into a world-class festival of sport. Together, we are proud to be pioneering a leaner, more sustainable model for major events.
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games proudly became the first in Games history to publish a Human Rights Statement, setting out ambitious objectives to respect and promote human rights throughout the Games lifecycle. In the decade since, Commonwealth Sport has published its own Human Rights Policy (2016)1 – revised in 2022 to coincide with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – and mega sporting events across the globe have worked to make more robust commitments to respecting and promoting human rights throughout their activities. This Human Rights Statement has been drafted by the Organising Company, together with researchers from the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events at the University of the West of Scotland, with the support of and approval from our EDI Committee. The Statement sets out to align with and reinforce Commonwealth Sport’s Human Rights Policy Statement and fulfils the Organising Company’s commitments as established by the Host City Agreement with Commonwealth Sport (see Annex).
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are committed to upholding and promoting human rights for all. We believe that sport is a powerful force for equity, dignity, and inclusion. From athletes to volunteers, from local communities to global spectators, we pledge to respect and promote the rights of every person impacted by these Games to ensure their safe participation. Our legacy will be measured not only in medals won, but in rights respected and futures empowered.
Our commitment to using the Games as a catalyst for positive impact is documented in our Story of Change and Legacy Plan.
We’re committed to accessibility, safeguarding and ethical employability practices across all our delivery activities, ensuring the Games create positive impact across Glasgow as the host city. We also have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement; championed by the EDI Committee and built around clear principles that we and our partners demonstrate through our work.
Our human rights responsibilities
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every human being. Human rights are universal and inherent to every human being without discrimination, regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. These rights are interdependent and indivisible from each other.
The Glasgow 2026 Organising Company recognises its responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011) to respect human rights3 and to:
- Avoid causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through their own activities, and address such impacts when they occur
- Seek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly linked to their operations, products or services by their business relationships, even if they have not contributed to those impacts
As such, the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company commits to:
- Conducting a human rights due diligence process to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how it will address its impacts on human rights
- Establishing a grievance mechanism to ensure the provision of timely and effective remediation of any adverse human rights impacts it causes or to which it contributes
Glasgow 2026 Human Rights Commitments
The Glasgow 2026 Organising Company (together with its workforce, volunteers, partners, stakeholders, Commonwealth Games Associations, athletes, visitors and spectators) commits to respect, promote and report on human rights matters relating to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Respect
Governance
Adopting a human rights-based approach across all Games-related activities and ensuring that the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company’s internal and external policies, procedures, and decision-making processes are fully aligned with these commitments.
Athlete’s rights
Ensuring all athletes are empowered to participate in the Games safely and free from harm, recognising that child athletes require additional safeguarding.
Spectators
Creating a safe environment where the Games and its associated events and activities can be enjoyed by all (including spectators, fans, journalists and media representatives).
Communities
Engaging with communities to empower individuals and groups to voice their views and concerns throughout the lifecycle of the Games, so that they are free to enjoy their human rights, e.g. without barriers to accessing healthcare or places of education and ensuring freedom of assembly and expression. Such engagement opportunities will be made accessible to all, including vulnerable groups, e.g. children and marginalised people groups.
Workforce
Embedding human rights throughout policies and practices related to all whose work relates to the Games, including staff, volunteers, third-party contractors, suppliers and vendors.
Sustainability
Working to achieve accreditation against ISO 20121:2024, paying special attention to its annex on embedding human and child rights considerations throughout the event lifecycle.
Procurement
Champion a due diligence approach in the procurement and management of contractors and other providers (including, but not limited to, the prohibition of child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in all activities in line with ILO standards).
Promote
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Ensuring equal access to participation in the Games for all (whether Organising Company employee, volunteer, athlete, visitor or spectator) and embedding the Glasgow 2026 EDI Principles throughout all Games-related activities and operations.
Communication of the Human Rights Statement
Publishing the Statement on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games website; displaying the Statement within the Organising Company and across venues during the Games; promoting it across the Organising Company’s networks (including marketing and communications); and ensuring it is available in formats that are accessible to all.
Legacy
Working to ensure that human rights are a core part of the legacy of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, incorporating them into Legacy Network activities, and championing them as a priority for future hosts of both the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.
Reporting and Remedy
Accountability
Reporting back to stakeholders throughout the Games lifecycle on how their views were or were not taken on board, including how they shaped OC policies and activities, and providing the opportunity for stakeholders to share additional feedback.
Grievance Mechanism
Signposting individuals who believe that their human rights have been breached or that they have witnessed a breach of human rights to the appropriate channels through which they can report concerns. Individuals will be directed to the following resource from the Scottish Human Rights Commission, which contains a list of relevant service providers: Help with human rights
Annex
Host City Agreement
The Host City Agreement for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games requires the Organising Company to do the following in relation to human rights:
7.1.1. prohibit any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
7.1.2. protect, respect and promote human rights, conduct human rights due diligence, and ensure any violation of human rights is remedied, in a manner consistent with the UNGPs, the Centre for Sport and Human Rights’ Sporting Chance Principles and all international agreements, laws and regulations applicable in the Host Country and in line with internationally recognised human and labour rights standards and principles.
Glasgow 2026 EDI Principles
Access Matters: Our integrated sports programme demonstrates our commitment to inclusion. We will also create improvement pathways that remove digital, physical, sensory, and logistical barriers from our venues and the overall event experience.
Belong Together: We’re committed to an environment where everyone connected to Glasgow 2026 feels they truly belong. Through inclusion, respect and shared purpose, every athlete, volunteer, staff member and spectator can feel values, supported and part of the Games experience.
Driven by Dignity: Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected. We have clear policies and codes of conduct under pinned by transparent reporting, allowing us to improve the environment for all.
Cultural Inclusion: We celebrate the rich diversity of the Commonwealth. Our ceremonies, events, and materials will reflect the voices, traditions, and languages of many communities involved.
Gender Equity: Glasgow 2026 builds on the Games’ leadership in gender parity by providing equal events, opportunities and visibility for all participants.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing: We’re committed to a safe physical and digital environment for all, especially children, disabled adults and people who might need additional support with access.
Inclusive Leadership: Our leadership and governance strive to reflect the diversity of the Commonwealth Games and our communities. We value different perspectives and pursue meaningful representation at all levels.
Diverse Teams: Our workforce and volunteers will aim to represent many of the communities of the commonwealth. We’re committed to fair recruitment, inclusive training, and creating opportunities for people from any background to contribute and thrive.
Communities First: These Games are designed with our communities. We’re engaging local, national and international voices, businesses, sports organisations and groups, to ensure a wide reach of people feel part of the experience.
Legacy of Inclusion: Our impact goes beyond the Games – from improving accessible facilities to increasing participation in sport and/or physical activity among underrepresented groups. Lasting change is our goal.
Ongoing Education: Inclusion is a journey. Through training, awareness campaigns, and open conversations, we’re fostering a culture where everyone may learn, grow, and contribute to a more equitable future.
