Newsroom
OSCE Mission Head lays out five conditions for the rule of law
BELGRADE 30 June 2003
BELGRADE, 30 June 2003 - In an article published this week in Serbia's Nin magazine, the OSCE Head of Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, Ambassador Maurizio Massari outlined the importance of the rule of law as a cornerstone of a democratic society.
"The rule of law guarantees equal political, civic and economic freedom", he writes. "The rule of law restrains power and the risk of its abuse through a constitutional system of checks and balances, a division of power and a bill of rights which recognizes the sacred value of individual liberties."
The Head of Mission noted that the rule of law is central to a liberal democratic system. He stressed that without the consolidation of the rule of law it will be difficult for Serbia and Montenegro, or indeed any country, to sustain democracy, to attract investment, to integrate into the global economy and become a fully-fledged member of the European Union.
His article also points out five, mutually-reinforcing conditions necessary for the rule of law and the consolidation of democracy including:
"These five conditions amount to the major challenges for Serbia and Montenegro. The fulfillment of these conditions will make the 5 October 2000 changes irreversible," the Head of Mission added.
"The rule of law guarantees equal political, civic and economic freedom", he writes. "The rule of law restrains power and the risk of its abuse through a constitutional system of checks and balances, a division of power and a bill of rights which recognizes the sacred value of individual liberties."
The Head of Mission noted that the rule of law is central to a liberal democratic system. He stressed that without the consolidation of the rule of law it will be difficult for Serbia and Montenegro, or indeed any country, to sustain democracy, to attract investment, to integrate into the global economy and become a fully-fledged member of the European Union.
His article also points out five, mutually-reinforcing conditions necessary for the rule of law and the consolidation of democracy including:
- A free and lively civil society
- Clear political rules of the game, including free and independent media
- A professional and independent judiciary
- A professional and accountable state bureaucracy
- An institutionalized and regulated economic system
"These five conditions amount to the major challenges for Serbia and Montenegro. The fulfillment of these conditions will make the 5 October 2000 changes irreversible," the Head of Mission added.