In the spirit of the International Day of Democracy, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres has urged governments to have listening ears to the yearnings of their people with respect to change.
Guterres disclosed in a message marking International Day of Democracy on UN News website on Tuesday.
“Well before the pandemic, frustration was rising, and trust in public authorities was declining, and lack of opportunities was driving economic unease and social unrest, continued the Secretary-General, adding that Governments must do more to listen to people demanding change, open new channels for dialogue and respect freedom of peaceful assembly,” Guterres stated.
He further highlighted the importance of equality, inclusiveness and full respect for human rights in fostering democracy.
“On this International Day of Democracy, let us seize this pivotal moment to build a more equal, inclusive and sustainable world, with full respect for human rights,” he urged.
A woman, accompanied by a child, casts her vote during the general elections in Mozambique
Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, Confiance News gathered that Guterres underlined the importance of democracy for ensuring free flow of information, participation in decision-making and accountability for the response to COVID-19.
“Yet since the beginning of the crisis, we have seen the emergency used in a range of countries to restrict democratic processes and civic space,” Mr. Guterres said.
“This is especially dangerous in places where democracy’s roots are shallow and institutional checks and balances are weak,” he added.
The UN chief also highlighted that the crisis brought to the fore, and aggravated, long-neglected injustices – from inadequate health systems to social protection gaps, digital divides and unequal access to education; from environmental degradation to racial discrimination and violence against women.
“Along with the profound human toll, these inequalities are themselves threats to democracy,” he said.
“On this International Day of Democracy, let us seize this pivotal moment to build a more equal, inclusive and sustainable world, with full respect for human rights,” he urged.
The International Day
Commemorated annually on 15 September, the International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world.
The International Day was established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly, which reaffirmed that democracy was a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.
The Assembly also encouraged Governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to promoting and consolidating democracy, including through increased bilateral, regional and international cooperation.
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