In a statement made available to APA on Sunday, ASA said its concern “arises from confidentiality agreements entered into by the parties to the arbitration, namely the IAAF, Caster Semenya, and ASA.”
“Notwithstanding such an agreement, the IAAF have on several occasions (in breach of the agreement) issued public statements on matters relating to, and arising from, the regulations,” the body said.
It said it would have preferred an open and transparent hearing of the matter given the legitimate global interest therein, “but was persuaded that medically sensitive issues, and in particular, privacy issues relating to Ms Semenya, would arise during the proceedings, and that a closed and confidential hearing was appropriate.”
Most recently, the IAAF publicly criticised a resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations at its 40th session held from 25 February to 22 March 2019.
“The resolution relates to the elimination of discrimination against women and girls in sport, and after reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and various UN declarations and conventions relevant to the issue, the resolution expresses concern at what are described as “discriminatory regulations, rules and practices (of the IAAF).
“ASA, therefore, rejects any criticism of the UNHCR resolution, and its request for the UN High Commissioner to prepare a report in due course.”