London/New York-The Hague:  Members of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) in 140 countries of all regions of the world celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights today, 10 December 2018, by urging all their colleagues who believe that the respect and fulfillment of human rights is a precondition for any effective democratic system of governance to sign on to the “Parliamentary Call for Global Democratic Renewal”.

An initiative of the World Movement for Democracy, this Parliamentary Call represents a starting point towards concrete action in 2019-21 by PGA –the largest cross-party, NGO network of individual lawmakers– within the framework of its new “Campaign for Democratic Renewal and Human Rights”, which the Board and International Council of the organization unanimously adopted at its 40th Annual Forum held in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 18 November 2018.

There is no meaningful exercise of democracy by citizens without effective access for all individuals, not only citizens, to fundamental human rights, as affirmed by the Universal Declaration 70 years ago. In particular, no one shall be placed above the law, no one shall be allowed to curb or to violate human dignity, and no one shall be allowed to transform the government of a democratically-elected majority into the dictatorship of the majority against any minority or group. Secretary-General of PGA, Dr. David Donat Cattin

The PGA representative is attending a public conference with Mr. Akbar Khan, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), held at Middlesex University of London, on the pivotal role that global parliamentarism can play to protect and promote universal human rights. The CPA recently launched a comprehensive publication entitled “The Global Human Rights Implementation Agenda: the role of National Parliaments”, which provides Legislators worldwide with a blueprint for action to establish and reinforce effective checks and balances by Parliament on the Executive.

Human rights and meaningful democracy are under attack in many countries around the world, which is marked by profound divisions among States, especially among Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council. Under the false and misleading dichotomies of national interest versus international cooperation, and national security versus international security, the International Community of States is repeatedly failing to prevent futile armed conflicts and the perpetration of mass-atrocities that are primarily victimizing innocent civilians from all sides in any relevant situation.  The re-emergence of oppressive regimes, often sponsored by powerful foreign leaders and regional actors, has brought about a climate that could lead the planet into a new “cold war”, unless swift action is taken to remedy humanitarian crises and reform oppressive systems of governance.

The recent decision by former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to resign from his position ahead of time and, above all, not to seek a second term of office underscores the gravity of the current situation. Prince Zeid inter alia stated:

After reflection, I have decided not to seek a second four-year term. To do so, in the current geopolitical context, might involve bending a knee in supplication; muting a statement of advocacy; lessening the independence and integrity of my voice — which is your voice.

The year 2019 will offer to States, civil society and other actors a unique opportunity to address the challenge of oppression and violent repression generating human rights’ abuses and, at times, crimes against humanity: Such an opportunity is the UN agenda centered on Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on the construction of peaceful, inclusive and stable societies under the Rule of Law.

Without an effective and intransigent struggle for human rights using all possible and available tools under International Law, PGA believes that the object and purpose of SDG 16 may be defeated, and democratic renewal may remain an unfulfilled aspiration. PGA therefore calls on all Parliamentarians of the world, as well as on all institutions and individuals, to take action to honour the statement that 70 years ago united all nations in the almost unanimous adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, namely, that “all human beings are born equal in rights and dignity”.

For more information, please contact:

PGA Secretary General Dr. David Donat-Cattin (in London today)
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T.: +1-646-287-5479

PGA Deputy Secretary-General: Ms. Jennifer McCarthy (in NY today)
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T: +1-646-762-7302