It’s a historic win for Caster Semenya and the superstar’s supporters as the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the athlete’s discrimination appeal.
Global (12 July, 2023) — Superstar athlete Mokgadi Caster Semenya is no stranger to victory. However, her recent win against discrimination might be up there with some of the Olympic champion’s most-valued victories.
On Tuesday, Semenya won a lengthy court case related to World Athletics’ decision to require hormone treatment for the athlete should she wish to compete in events. This decision’s measures and procedures, which came about in 2018 were not just a concern for Semenya, but other women athletes who would face the same discrimination.
Semenya, supporters and the South African Parliament appealed against the decision, deeming its measures (which include medically induced reduction of natural hormone levels) to be violative and a case against dignity. Semenya took her case to Switzerland, but it was heard unsuccessfully by the nation’s Supreme Court.
However, Semenya was not ready to give up; contesting the previous ruling by taking it to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
And yesterday, her determination paid off as the ECHR ruled in her favour, stating that Semenya “had not been afforded sufficient institutional and procedural safeguards in Switzerland to allow her to have her complaints examined effectively.”
The Court also agreed that:
“There had been a violation of the prohibition of discrimination taken together with the right to respect for private life as well as a violation of the right to an effective remedy”.
While the win is a moment of victory, there is still a long road ahead until Semenya can run freely again. Still, recognition of discrimination matters for change that protects and respects athletes come about.
As Minister Zizi Kodwa shares:
“While the fight to have Caster racing in her favoured athletics events continues, the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights is a clear statement at how Caster has faced discrimination in her fight against the offensive regulations she has been subjected to.”
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