Strengthening rule of law and promoting human rights vital to ensuring trust in democratic systems, OSCE/ODIHR Director Link says on International Day for Democracy

WARSAW, 15 September 2016 – Governments need to continue to strengthen the rule of law and promote human rights in order to bolster trust in democratic systems, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today, on the International Day of Democracy.

“We see today signs of a decline in levels of participation and trust in democratic institutions in countries all across the OSCE region,” the ODIHR Director said. “The key to countering this decline is building greater confidence that those same institutions work to represent the interest and protect the human rights of all those who elected them.”

“Generating support for and participation in the democratic process depends on people’s confidence that that democratic institutions work transparently for their security and make their lives better,” Director Link said. “To earn this support, governments in OSCE participating States have to build effective, accountable and inclusive democratic institutions, and to ensure that their laws are enacted, administered, and enforced so as to benefit all.”

The ODIHR Director noted that the focus of this year’s International Day for Democracy is on the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the need to “provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

“Civil society also has an important role to play here, by providing the opportunity for individuals to work to support governments in improving the work and responsiveness of democratic institutions, and in highlighting shortcomings where they exist,” the ODIHR Director said. “By working with and listening to civil society, governments can help promote public participation in democratic processes, which is important for strengthening trust and confidence.”