The 50-page document was unveiled just a week after outgoing UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet published a report on possible human rights abuses in China – the latest host nation for the Olympics and Paralympics.
“The Framework will fundamentally shape the working methods of the IOC, the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement to ensure that human rights are respected within their respective areas of responsibility,” it said in a statement.
These responsibilities have typically limited the IOC’s ability or willingness to deal with host nations beyond specific sporting issues, such as organizing the events and preparing the venues.
Ahead of the Beijing Olympics, when host nation China was criticized for its treatment of the Uyghur minority and for the disappearance of tennis player Peng Shuai, IOC president Tomas Bach said the committee is not the world’s government.
When the framework was presented, Bach chose to once again defend China by saying that Beijing met all the requirements for a host city. He also said he did not want to speculate on whether the strategy could be decisive when new host cities are chosen for future games.
In addition to focusing on the policies of the host nations, the IOC will, within the framework of the new strategy, work for increased inclusion of transgender people and greater influence for the athletes.