"Good electoral process and sound democratic institutions require commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms"

On November 8, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that the International Day of Democracy would be commemorated annually on September 15. In its resolution, UNGA calls upon Member States as well as parliamentarians, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and individual citizens to commemorate this day. I applaud the IPU for raising public awareness about this first International Day of Democracy, and for the opportunity it provides for collective reflection on the current challenges to the global advancement of democracy and human rights.

My Carter Center colleagues and I have been working to promote democracy and human rights for over 20 years. Since 1989, we have observed 70 elections in 28 countries. We believe that election observation is a critical tool to promote and support the legitimacy of democratically elected governments. Most recently, we observed the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal. These elections were transformational as they gave Nepalis the opportunity to change the basic structure of their country from a monarchy to a republic. They ended a 12-year civil war, and offered many previously marginalized people an equal role in government and civil society.

All of The Carter Center's election observation missions are conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. This document – to which the IPU is also a signatory – marked a critical milestone in the development of election observation and was endorsed at the United Nations in 2005 by 22 election observation organizations across the globe. That number has now risen to 32.

The electoral process is part of the larger practice we call democracy

The Declaration of Principles is important because it provides consistent, professional standards for international election observation and has resulted in the creation of a community of practice among the endorsing organizations. Working together, these organizations can more effectively address the multitude of challenges facing democracy and elections. All of the endorsing organizations agree that the electoral process is about much more than just election day and that the electoral process itself is part of the larger practice we call democracy. Since the endorsement of the Declaration of Principles, we have seen increasing recognition of this reality in the work of many of our international and domestic partner organizations, as well as a concerted move towards a more integrated approach to the promotion of democracy and electoral assistance. This approach recognizes that a good quality electoral process and sound democratic institutions require a sustained commitment to a range of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Declaration of Principles is important because it provides consistent, professional standards for international election observation and has resulted in the creation of a community of practice among the endorsing organizations. Working together, these organizations can more effectively address the multitude of challenges facing democracy and elections. All of the endorsing organizations agree that the electoral process is about much more than just election day and that the electoral process itself is part of the larger practice we call democracy. Since the endorsement of the Declaration of Principles, we have seen increasing recognition of this reality in the work of many of our international and domestic partner organizations, as well as a concerted move towards a more integrated approach to the promotion of democracy and electoral assistance. This approach recognizes that a good quality electoral process and sound democratic institutions require a sustained commitment to a range of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"We believe that the success of an election hinges not only on the fulfillment of the right of every citizen to vote and to be elected, but also on the fulfillment of their rights."

In the field of election observation we see this evolution reflected in the work of The Carter Center and partner organizations like the IPU and many others, which are together attempting to build broad consensus on criteria for democratic elections. These efforts build upon the groundbreaking Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections, adopted by the Inter- Parliamentary Council in 1994, as well as the work of other credible and impartial organizations from around the world.

In essence, we are seeking to reestablish the essential human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent treaties as criteria against which genuine democratic elections are assessed. We believe that the success of an election hinges not only on the fulfillment of the right of every citizen to vote and to be elected, but also on the fulfillment of their rights, including the rights: to participate in public decision-making; to move freely about their country; to express their opinions before and after election day; to associate and to assemble; to have access to an effective remedy for those acts that violate their rights and freedoms; and to have a transparent and accountable government that acts according to the rule of law.

By more firmly rooting election assessment criteria in fundamental rights and freedoms, we hope to better assist the countries we observe in their continued efforts to create just and representative governments whose democratic legitimacy is grounded in the will of the electors.

We recognize that there remains much work to be done. In several recent elections, high levels of violence, intimidation, and other human rights violations have been the cause of much concern for many of us. At the same time, there is evidence in some parts of the world of growing opposition to the work of highly credible international election observation organizations and attempts to dilute commitments that have been made in support of good democratic practice.

My own country has had two troubled elections recently, in 2000 and in 2004. Following both elections, I worked with other US political leaders, including former President Gerald Ford and former Secretary of State James Baker, to develop recommendations for reforming and improving the US electoral system. While the US has made some progress, it still has a long way to go.

For example, in the United States, it is still very difficult for international organizations to observe elections. We have had low voter turnout, around 64 per cent for the 2004 election. In addition, there is little restraint on the amount of money that can be spent on campaigning. Potential presidential candidates have to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to be seriously considered as a nominee. Access to the media is unequal, and there is not a central election commission that is responsible for election administration on a national scale.

I point out these issues to underscore the fact that all nations need to learn how best to have an honest, fair, open, safe, democratic election that lives up to the obligations prescribed by international law. To do so, political leaders must be committed to the democratic process and to building strong and vigorous democratic institutions; they must respect human rights and must take the steps necessary to fulfill their international obligation to hold good electoral processes. Only by doing so can we protect the good name of democracy. It is my sincere hope that you will join me in commemorating the International Day of Democracy this year, and for many years to come.