UN Expert Highlights Mandatory Sex Verification in Iranian Sports

15 October, 2024 – In a newly published report, the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights has drawn attention to the ongoing practice of mandatory sex verification testing in Iranian football and futsal leagues. Alexandra Xanthaki confirmed that involuntary sex testing remains a global issue, which in Iran has led to the dismissal of football players on the grounds of so-called “gender ambiguity”; as justified by local authorities. This has also resulted in significant abuse and mockery of female players and their gender identity.

The report addresses the obligations of States and the responsibilities of sporting associations in upholding the right to inclusive participation in sports, highlighting positive examples of such inclusivity. 

The Special Rapporteur has approached the right to participate in sports as an important element of the right to participate in cultural life. She included various discrimination against women and girls, religious minorities and LGBTIQ+ persons.

The report refers to the prevalence of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, highlighting that homophobia and transphobia in sporting environments can deter LGBTIQ+ persons from participating in sport and lead to mental health struggles. “The hostile atmosphere in some sports settings underscores the need for inclusive policies and supportive environments that affirm the right of LGBTIQ+ persons to express their identities and promote their well-being,” the report says. 

In response to the Special Rapporteur’s call for inputs in April 2024, 6Rang submitted an individual report, as well as a joint report together with International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE), Office against Discrimination, Racism and Intolerance (ODRI), Sport and Rights Alliance and Transgender Europe (TGEU), on LGBTI people’s right to participate in sports.

In this report, 6Rang has highlighted that in Iran, LBTI women in sports face discrimination and violence rooted in both their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. According to interviews conducted by 6Rang, LBTI women expressed the belief that LBTI individuals endure more discrimination and violence in sports than other women. The criminalization of same-sex relationships means that any indication of a relationship between women draws suspicion from the authorities and can lead to consequences.

The Special Rapporteur has recommended the States to review their national policies and programming in the field of sports with a view to bringing them into line with human rights obligations; enforce equal treatment of all in sport, including women and girls in all their diversity; and take steps to address misinformation and fear-based campaigns that target intersex and transgender women and girls, and conduct evidence-based public education campaigns to promote inclusion.  

For more information about the situation of Iranian LBTI women’s rights to participate in sports, read 6Rang’s submission to the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls here.