Sir, - Further to the recent debate in the media about the merits or otherwise of the Republic of Ireland team fulfilling a fixture in Belgrade, please allow me to make some comments.
There is a responsibility, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), that calls on every individual and every organ of society to play its part in securing universal observance of human rights. The UDHR is the bedrock of all our human rights. It is not something we cease to have any connection with simply because we play football, or go on trade missions, or whatever. We as individuals, associations, corporations, etc. have the same basic responsibility that governments have. We may be less powerful, but that does not absolve us from our responsibilities.
On the specific question of fulfilling sports fixtures in extreme situations, people should ask themselves whether their action will help the observance of human rights in the relevant region. There is no definite yes or no answer to this question in advance - it requires consideration and judgement. The USA vs Iran match at this year's World Cup, with all its political ramifications in advance, was to all appearances a very positive occasion, playing its small part in promoting a more constructive relationship between these nations.
The postponed match in Belgrade also had these positive possibilities but how likely is it that the game would have been used to improve the plight of the people of Kosovo? Is it possible that the players of both teams would have worn black armbands as a show of solidarity with the "officially" Yugoslavian people being butchered a few miles down the road by their own government's forces?
The statement attributed by your soccer writer to UEFA, when the game was postponed, to the effect that it was a positive thing that the FAI did not "try to take the moral high ground" on the issue was at best very disappointing. Is there some reason why principle and morality cease to be relevant for sporting organisations? Happily, the Ireland manager Mick McCarthy had no difficulty putting the issue into its real perspective, for which he is to be applauded.
The often repeated mantra about sport and politics being quite separate is total nonsense, and we all are aware that there is a very long list of examples that will demonstrate this fact, both inside and outside this country.
Sporting bodies, no more and no less than any other element of society, need to take this responsibility seriously. They are not expected to become human rights defenders - but they are expected to use their influence where possible to promote the universal observance of human rights. - Yours, etc., Sean Love,
Chairperson,
Amnesty International,
Fleet Street,
Dublin 2.