Uruguay
Deputies gave preliminary approval to a bill against hate and discrimination in sports
The initiative promoted by Pedro Jisdonian was approved in the Chamber of Deputies and will now move to the Senate. The text provides for sanctions and preventive measures for acts of racism, xenophobia and other discriminatory conduct at sporting events.
The Chamber of Deputies approved this Wednesday a bill to sanction conduct involving hate, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sports, according to la diaria. The initiative, introduced by National Party lawmaker Pedro Jisdonian, received the backing of all parties except Identidad Soberana and was sent to the Senate for review.
According to the text, the regulation will apply to competitions, trials and sporting events throughout the country. In addition to racism and xenophobia, it provides for sanctions for discriminatory acts based on sexual orientation or identity, gender expression, sexual characteristics and intellectual or physical disability.
According to la diaria, it also includes conduct such as statements, insults, gestures or harassment actions that affect people’s dignity or create an intimidating, humiliating or offensive environment. Added to that is public praise, denial or blatant trivialization of genocides, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The bill establishes obligations for sports event organizers, who must adopt preventive measures, act to immediately stop prohibited conduct and cooperate in identifying those responsible. It also authorizes the referee or judge to suspend a match if incidents linked to these acts are recorded.
The initiative also prohibits the entry, display or production of banners, flags, symbols or other signs with messages that incite hatred or imply threats, insults or abuse against people or groups on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation or identity, among other reasons.
Among the sanctions предусмотрed are fines to be set in the regulations, community service in the sports field and a ban on entering sports venues for a period of between one month and five years. In cases involving statements, a public correction may also be ordered.
According to la diaria, the bill also instructs the National Sports Secretariat to implement support measures for coexistence and integration. During his remarks, Jisdonian said it is a real phenomenon that requires attention, prevention and response.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with assistance from artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this fact.
