Human-rights and anti-trafficking advocates say Los Angeles is sitting on a crucial LA28 human-rights roadmap that spells out how the 2028 Olympics will deal with civil rights, homelessness, and human trafficking. The plan was filed with the city more than two months ago but has not been put out for public review, a delay critics say leaves key decisions about money and protections for vulnerable residents shielded from real scrutiny.
According to the Los Angeles Times, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson has not yet scheduled the human-rights report for discussion by the council’s ad-hoc committee. City Administrative Officer Matthew Szabo and Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso have both said they have not seen the document. LA28, the organizing committee, told city leaders it finished the Human Rights Strategy at the end of 2025, but also said it cannot release the draft publicly until the city does.
Advocates press for money and public review
More than 50 organizations, backed by nine California legislators, are pushing the City Council to make public the human-rights plans tied to both the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics and to commit to independent oversight of how those promises are carried out. The Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative at Loyola Law School prepared a report and coalition letter urging LA28 and FIFA to set aside roughly $2.75 million to $3.1 million for implementation, public-awareness efforts, and independent audits, according to Loyola’s announcement.
World Cup timeline sharpens pressure
FIFA is crafting its own human-rights and anti-trafficking action plans for the 2026 World Cup, and the Los Angeles version of that report is expected in May, about a month before the tournament begins, the Los Angeles Times reports. Some other U.S. host cities have already rolled out public anti-trafficking campaigns and human-rights plans, a playbook local advocates say Los Angeles could follow, according to LAist.
What the contract requires
Under the City’s Games Agreement, LA28 is required to develop a formal Human Rights Strategy. City records from the CAO and CLA show LA28 had told officials it was on track to deliver that plan by Dec. 31, 2025. A CAO/CLA report filed in council records spells out those contractual deadlines and the City’s responsibility to review LA28’s work. Advocates say the logical next step is to place the draft on a public meeting agenda so community members can dig into the timelines and funding commitments.
What’s next
Advocates are calling for a clear, public review process along with the relatively modest anti-trafficking investments Loyola recommends, arguing that those safeguards need to be in place before massive events bring an influx of workers and visitors. The coalition organized public comment at City Hall in February and is pressing City leaders to hold a hearing and publish the draft so survivors, service providers, and neighborhood groups can weigh in, according to Loyola Law School’s announcement.
