“The Arab Spring underscores the critical importance of political diversity and dialogue to both peace and to the concept of democracy,” says IPU President Abdelwahad Radi, as the Organization marks International Day of Democracy on 15th September.
With thousands of people reported to have died so far in an increasingly brutal conflict that has forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, a political solution seems as out of reach as ever. The need for dialogue bringing together not just opposing sides in the Syrian conflict but also those caught in the middle, has never been so crucial or so urgent.
The IPU welcomes the UN-Arab League Envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi’s reported intentions to talk to as many people as possible in his work to bring about peace to Syria. It hopes all concerned voices will be heard and engaged in the process.
However, the Organization is urging all concerned parties in Syria and the international community to put aside individual political interests and genuinely commit to a dialogue that brings all views to the table in the interests of the Syrian people and to peace.
It also reiterates a call made to the Syrian parliament on 30 August to fulfil its legal responsibility to protect the Syrian people regardless of their political allegiances and to hold government to account.
"As they mark International Day of Democracy, parliaments must never forget that most people believe that the will of the people should be the basis of the authority of government. People do not take to the streets or take up arms to replace one form of dictatorship with another. What they demand is a system that brings everyone into the political fold and to participate in political dialogue through free and fair elections," Radi argues.
At its 126th Assembly in Kampala earlier this year, the IPU adopted a resolution expressing solidarity and sympathy for the Syrian people whose democratic freedoms and human rights were being systematically and brutally undermined. The resolution also called for an immediate end to the violence and abuses in Syria, whilst fully supporting international and regional efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
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