New York/The Hague
On the International Day of Democracy, we gather as representatives of our countries in all regions around the world, with a shared commitment to uphold and strengthen the principles of democracy. This day stands as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the democratic values that underpin our societies.
In recent years, we have witnessed the decline of democracy and the unsettling trend of coup d'états that have struck various countries worldwide. Recurrent attacks on democratic institutions over the past two decades are a stark reminder of the fragility of our systems. These attacks have far-reaching consequences on human rights and undermine one of the fundamental tenets of democracy – the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections. Disrupting democratic processes by replacing the people’s will with the rule of force often results in the erosion of civil liberties, the persecution of dissenters, serious human rights violations, and the incapacitation of institutions charged with upholding the Rule of Law.
Democracy is under threat all over the world. As legislators, we have a larger stake in preserving democracy in our countries and worldwide. The derailment of democracy in one country is a threat to all democracies. In the face of coup d’états, we must take a strong and united stand and call upon all nations to condemn these actions unequivocally while taking concrete steps to prevent, mediate, and resolve political conflicts through peaceful and diplomatic means. Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan) and PGA President
Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar,
MP (Pakistan) and PGA President
Democratic principles advance the rights to freedom, equality, civil and political participation, justice, and human rights.Democracy serves as a robust framework by which nations can achieve progress, prosperity, and peace.Attacks against Parliaments and parliamentarians directly threaten the heart of democratic governance, undermine the very essence of democracy, and erode the trust that citizens place in their elected representatives.
Legislators must stand together against any incursion or attack on our legislative bodies and address the underlying causes of such acts simultaneously. While we represent the will of the people, we must continue devoting efforts toward advancing democratic ideals. Hence, this call to action is a call to all policymakers, government officials, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders to take concerted action and unite to pursue a better, safer, and more sustainable world. Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, MP (Argentina) and Convenor of the Democracy, Gender, and Inclusion Program
Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, MP (Argentina)
In our steadfast commitment to democratic principles, we must also confront hate speech. Democracy flourishes in an environment where diverse opinions can be freely expressed, fostering debate and progress. This freedom must be tempered by the responsibility to protect the dignity and rights of all individuals. Hate speech can incite violence and sow division. As parliamentarians, we recognize that the delicate balance between safeguarding freedom of expression - a fundamental human right - and preventing hate speech is essential. Parliamentarians must lead by example. We must join democratic initiatives like PGA’s Global Democratic Code of Conduct to ensure our speech is respectful to all. We must also champion laws that combat hate speech while enabling political discourse without jeopardizing the safety and well-being of any group, including vulnerable collectives or marginalized populations.
Legislators must stand together We, parliamentarians, are at the forefront of the fight to ensure that what some of our countries have fought hard to obtain is not kidnapped by coups. Moreover, it is our duty to foster an atmosphere where all voices can be heard and all perspectives can be debated while ensuring that no one is subjected to harm or discrimination because of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or any other characteristic. This commitment to inclusivity and respect for human rights is the truest testament to the strength and endurance of democracy.Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles) and PGA Board Member
Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles)
As we stand firm in our belief that democracy and human rights are inseparable, we join the initiative led by Democracy Without Borders on the establishment of a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Democracy (UNRoD) to examine how the right to democratic representation and participation of citizens is implemented, and how it would serve the purpose of helping strengthen democracy and democratization. By supporting this mandate, we can learn from new and best practices and reinforce our global commitment to strengthening democratic values, promoting accountable governance, and ensuring the protection of human rights, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful and just world.
On this day, we encourage all Members of Parliaments to undertake the following actions to strengthen democracies in their countries:
- Open Dialogue and Inclusivity: Democracy thrives when there is open dialogue and inclusion of diverse voices. Members of Parliament can organize meetings, online forums, and public consultations to engage directly with constituents. By fostering genuine conversations, we can ensure that policies and decisions reflect the needs and desires of the people.
- Educational Initiatives: Legislators can arrange and participate in workshops, seminars, and campaigns to enhance civic education. An informed electorate is better equipped to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
- Transparency and Accountability: Upholding the principles of democracy requires transparency in governance and accountability of elected officials. Members of Parliament should champion measures that promote transparency in public affairs.
- Protecting Human Rights: Democracy and human rights are intertwined. Members of Parliament must advocate for laws and policies that safeguard the fundamental rights of all peoples, especially human rights defenders, journalists, indigenous communities, vulnerable populations, and legislators at risk.
- Collaboration Beyond Borders: As democracy is a global endeavor, parliamentarians can forge international partnerships to share best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and collectively address challenges that threaten democracy globally.
- Promoting Gender Equality: Parliamentarians are encouraged to work towards gender-sensitive legislation and policies that empower women’s participation and representation in politics and society and protect them in the face of rising psychological and physical violence.
On the International Day of Democracy, let us recommit ourselves to strengthening democratic institutions. We stand united in our dedication to democratic values and in support of the voiceless, individuals brutally killed or injured in peaceful demonstrations and those imprisoned for expressing their opinions or fighting for human rights, justice, and peace. Let our actions today resonate through generations, reminding them we can strive together in the face of old and new challenges. Dr. Hannah Neumann, MEP (Germany) and PARRT Founding Member
Dr. Hannah Neumann, MEP (Germany)
MP Voices
Pour nous, Parlementaires, continuons d’œuvrer en faveur de la Démocratie et mettons tout en œuvre pour freiner le recul que nous observons chaque jour dans le monde et plus particulièrement en Afrique. C’est le seul moyen pour nous de mieux représenter nos Nations et d’être les premiers défenseurs des droits humains. Hon. Émilie Béatrice Epaye, MP (Central African Republic) and PARRT Member
Hon. Émilie Béatrice Epaye, MP (Central African Republic)
Democracy thrives on engagement, and that is the foundation upon which true representation stands. It is, therefore, important that leaders at all levels of government take conscious steps to deepen engagements with the people we represent. We must work to remove all barriers to freedom of expression as well as access to information about government activities. We must also work to entrench accountability, especially in Public sector financing, as a means of building trust and deepening democracy in our countries.
Rep. Bamidele Salam, MP (Nigeria)
Finally, I encourage all government functionaries to respect diversities and foster better integration of minority groups through deliberate policies and programs of action. Let our utterances and conduct reflect tolerance, respect, and a sense of commitment to the ideals of truth, fairness, and justice Rep. Bamidele Salam, MP( Nigeria) and Chair of the PGA Nigeria National Group
On this International Day of Democracy, we must acknowledge and address a triad of critical challenges. Firstly, recent years have witnessed alarming threats to democratic values, with coup d'états eroding civil liberties and undermining free and fair elections. As parliamentarians, we must unite against these threats, advocating for peaceful resolutions and the protection of human rights. Secondly, the proliferation of disinformation and online manipulation poses a grave risk to our democratic processes, demanding robust measures to uphold transparency and accountability.
Mr. Fabio Massimo Castaldo MEP (Italy)
Lastly, I want to stress the urgent need for international cooperation to combat the global climate crisis, as environmental sustainability is intertwined with democratic governance. By addressing these challenges collectively, we can fortify our democracies and secure a sustainable future for all. Mr. Massimo Castaldo, Board Member and Chair of the PGA Group in the European Parliament
