WARSAW, 15 September 2023 – To make our societies and institutions more resilient and strengthen our commitment to democratic values, it is vital to ensure the full participation of all groups in society and include their opinions and needs when decisions are taken that affect all our futures, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on today’s International Day of Democracy.

“The resilience of democratic institutions has never been more important,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Democratic societies that truly represent and hold themselves accountable to the people they serve do not only work better, but lay the foundations for more sustainable and peaceful societies.”

As democratic institutions are increasingly called into question and people seek to make their voices heard in a fast-changing world, it is important that countries across the OSCE region invest in democratic institutions and inclusive participation, while fully committing to human rights and the rule of law. Our democratic institutions must better reflect the plurality of political opinions as well as the diversity of our societies, ensuring that all voices are heard, including young people, women, national minorities, and people with disabilities.

Both civil society and individual human rights defenders play a vital role in giving a voice to underrepresented groups and to safeguarding and defending democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This in turn strengthens stability and security in our region, which is all the more important in times of crisis.

At the same time, civil society activists and human rights defenders are finding themselves the target of attack, including physical attacks, arrests or criminalization of their work, legal and administrative restrictions on funding or on freedom of association and peaceful assembly, or harassment and online smear campaigns. Governments need to take far greater efforts to support civil society, and publicly recognise its crucial role in making our democracy stronger.

The OSCE has unequivocally recognised that “pluralistic democracy and the rule of law are essential for ensuring respect for all human rights.” The link between democracy, democratic institutions and peace has been acknowledged by all OSCE countries, when they stated: “Recognizing that full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the development of societies based on pluralistic democracy and the rule of law is a prerequisite for achieving a lasting peace, security, justice and stability”.

ODIHR works throughout the OSCE region to support national authorities in making their commitments to democracy and human rights a reality. Despite many challenges around the region, the Office continues to help develop societies that include all those who live in them, supports vibrant civil societies, strengthen democratic institutions based on the rule of law, and increase respect for human rights and freedoms.