Media briefing outcome: Caster Semenya vs Switzerland
On the 9th of February 2024 at the Olive and Plates, Embassy Towers, Sandton, Johannesburg, Caster Semenya along with the Commission for Gender Equality, ProBono.org, Norton Rose Fullbright and other civil society organisations held a media briefing to address the continual violation of Caster Semenya’s human rights and dignity by World Athletics.
On the 15th of May 2024, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will hear the case referred by the Swiss government against the July 2023 judgment of the ECHR that World Athletics is bound by international law and may not discriminate against anyone without compelling reasons following the decision by World Athletics to prevent Caster Semenya from participating in international competitions. The referral to the Grand Chamber was made after the Chamber judgment found 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 in the case of Semenya v. Switzerland.
The media heard directly from Caster Semenya on the personal effect of this case and the reasons, both personal and on behalf of others, for her continuance of fight. Her attorneys, Patrick Bracher and Greg Nott, along with the Chairperson of the Commission of Gender Equality, Advocate Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale, and the National Director for Probono.org, Advocate Mohamed Shafie Ameermia, detailed the fight to date and elaborated on the preparatory work that lies ahead before the 15th of May 2024. As elaborated, in order to ensure that the rights of Caster Semenya and other athletes affected by the regulations implemented by the World Athletics body are protected, foreign expertise in the procedures of the ECHR along with Sports Law are required. While the entire South African legal team has provided their services at no charge, the foreign expertise (even at their discounted rates) and other costs associated with this fight, come at a considerable cost.
During the media briefing, Caster Semenya issued a clarion call to entities and individuals to support her fight against World Athletics and the Swiss government. This is not just her fight against injustices and human right violations but a fight for the protection of the rights of all sportspersons against institutions who seek to disregard their human rights and everybody’s fight for the interest of justice.
For those who are able and willing to financially contribute the banking details for contributions are:
Ahmed Gani Trust Account
Standard Bank
Account Number: 200297740
Branch: Killarney
Branch Code: 007 205
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
Reference: Caster
Contact Persons:
Ms Becky Molete: 078 299 2400
