Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. — Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
We advocate a right to democracy at all levels
It is no longer possible to limit democracy to the nation-state. Conversely, democracy can only function on a global scale if it also prospers nationally. We support an improvement and strengthening of democracy and closer collaboration of democratic countries.
All people must enjoy access to fundamental political and civil rights, in particular the right to competitive free and fair elections and political participation.
Democracy Without Borders believes that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights constitute a right to democracy at all levels of public authority, from the local to the global.
As a measure to help strengthen democracy, Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of a new mandate of the UN Human Rights Council of Special Rapporteur on Democracy.
Two meanings of global democracy
Global democracy can address two things: the state of democracy across the world’s nation-states or democratization of global governance. Learn more about it here. The latter is part of our program area on global governance.
A UN Rapporteur on Democracy
Democracy Without Borders helps coordinate the global campaign for the appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy by the UN Human Rights Council.
An Alliance of Democracies
Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of an Alliance of Democracies following these principles and proposals.
Projects
DWB and its chapters are seeking donors and partners to develop projects in the field of democracy promotion at all levels.
War crimes are being committed by Russia on an industrial scale in Ukraine, women’s rights are being trampled on in Afghanistan and LGBTQI+ people’s rights are under assault in Uganda,
In this article human rights advocate Gulnara Shahinian argues that the UN Human Rights Council should create the mandate of a Special Rapporteur on Democracy.
Democracies that respect human rights are the best means by which to solve the 21st century’s most critical challenges, Summit for Democracy’s declaration says
In this statement, Xu Zhiyong is calling for freedom, democracy and the rule of law in China. It was published a day before he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a political trial.