WADA publishes Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment and Public Policy Statement on Human Rights and Anti-Doping

Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to publish the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment (IHRIA) and its Annex which outlines all recommendations and their status regarding implementation. WADA also published its Public Policy Statement on Human Rights and Anti-Doping (Statement), which reaffirms WADA’s commitment to human rights.

The IHRIA and Statement were approved by WADA’s Foundation Board in December 2025. The IHRIA was first proposed in 2021 by WADA’s former Athlete Committee (now known as the Athlete Council [AC]). It was then commissioned in November 2022, when WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) confirmed the appointment of Senior Independent Expert, Ms. Snežana Samardžić-Marković, to lead the IHRIA, and approved the Assessment Framework.

The IHRIA has the objective of ensuring that WADA understands the intersection between anti-doping policy and the universally recognized human rights of athletes, in order to lead a global collaborative mission for doping-free sport with these rights at the forefront of its efforts.

Ms. Samardžić-Marković said: “The approval and publication of the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment and the Agency’s Public Policy Statement are the culmination of several years of hard work and collaborative effort. The World Anti-Doping Code and its International Standards are undoubtedly more athlete-centered and are substantially more focused on the human rights of athletes than ever before, without losing any of its regulatory rigor and value. 

“The publication of these documents does not mean that the work is done, though. In line with the principles outlined in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, it is critical that WADA continues to demonstrate a clear commitment to human rights and to involve athletes in this process going forward.”

To that end, the Statement represents a promise and commitment by WADA to upholding the principles of internationally recognized human rights, with a particular focus on addressing the most salient human rights issues in anti-doping.

WADA Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Kemp, said: “On behalf of the World Anti-Doping Agency, I take this opportunity to commend and thank Ms. Samardžić-Marković for her tireless effort over the past three years to developing the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment, a document that will chart the path forward ensuring that WADA continues to respect internationally recognized human rights relevant to the anti-doping system.

“WADA is committed to continuing to work closely with the Athlete Council and affected stakeholders worldwide to ensure that athlete human rights remain a priority, and to continue to address adverse human rights impacts in the short, medium and long term.”

The IHRIA outlines 24 recommendations, representing different timeframes for their completions – half of which WADA has already fully implemented or started to implement, namely (but not limited to) reinforcing human rights in the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and International Standards; introducing human rights into the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan; tangible improvements to the treatment of minors and Para athletes; and increasing meaningful athlete engagement in the Code update, which is evidenced by the Athlete-Centered Consultation that was carried out as part of the 2027 Code and International Standards Update Process.

Chair of WADA’s AC and four-time Olympian in swimming, Ryan Pini, said: “WADA’s Athlete Council welcomes the outcomes of the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment, which greatly involved athletes throughout the entire process. It strikes a proper balance between the importance of the human rights of athletes while respecting the necessity of a rigorous testing system. Importantly, the IHRIA process played a key role in informing the 2027 Code Update process, and the Public Policy Statement is a strong endorsement from the highest levels of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Athlete Council looks forward to continuing to champion the human rights of athletes in the months and years to come.”