15 September marks the International Day of Democracy. Commemorated since 2007, this day provides an opportunity for celebration of the many tireless advocates for democracy worldwide, including PGA members courageously fighting to defend democratic values, oppose authoritarianism and threats to civic and political liberties and freedoms, and uphold respect for human rights worldwide. At the same time, it reminds us all to reflect on the many, varied, and serious challenges to democracy today.

As threats to democracy become more sophisticated and nuanced, moving from the city square to dark corners of the web, parliamentarians have an essential and indispensable role as legitimate democratically-elected representatives of the people.

In recognition of the parliamentary advocates at the frontlines of the fight for democratic renewal, from 15 September until 27 September 2019 we shared the stories of parliamentary democracy defenders in partnership with the Democracy Decay & Renewal project.

These are their testimonies:

Dip. Alicia Fregonese, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Hon. Béatrice Epaye, member of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic, Chair of PGA’s National Group and PGA’s Executive Committee member.

Dip. Carla Pitiot, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, member of PGA’s Executive Committee.

Dip. Cornelia Schmidt-Liermann, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, Chair of PGA’s National Group.

Dip. Daniel Filmus, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Hon. Dennis Kwok, member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, PGA member.

Hon. Fatoumatta Njai, member of the National Assembly of The Gambia, PGA member.

Dip. Graciela Camaño, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Sen. Guillermo Snopek, member of the Senate of Argentina, PGA member.

Ms. Iryna Suslova, Adviser of the Human Rights Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine, former PGA member.

Sen. Ivan Cepeda, member of the Senate of Colombia, PGA member.

Dip. José Luis Ramón, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Dip. Julio Sahad, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Dip. Lucas Incicco, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Asambleísta Marcela Aguiñaga, member of the National Assembly of Ecuador, PGA member.

Dip. Maria Carla Piccolomi, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, PGA member.

Thank you to all the participants!