"Hangin' With ... Human Rights Watch Director Of Global Initiatives Minky Worden"

On what makes '15 an important year for human rights in sports…
Minky Worden: At the end of May, you have sort of a once in a generation election of a new FIFA president. The focus of the election has very much been on human rights and how FIFA is failing to address serious human rights catastrophes. On June 12, the first ever European Games will launch in Baku, Azerbaijan, in a climate of extreme repression...Then at the end of July, you have this important Olympic decision for the 2022 Winter Games between two serious human rights abusers, Kazakhstan and China...

On sports as a catalyst for change…
Worden: Because there is a lot of money involved that means that there’s also a lot of opportunity. Human Rights Watch engages in these questions because we believe that there is the potential for these organizations to have a positive effect on the laws and practices in these countries.