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Supporting the establishment of a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Democracy

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 16456 | 26 June 2026

Signatories:
Mr Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Kolbrún Áslaugar BALDURSDÓTTIR, Iceland, SOC ; Ms Marianne BINDER-KELLER, Switzerland, EPP/CD ; Mr Damien COTTIER, Switzerland, ALDE ; Ms Edite ESTRELA, Portugal, SOC ; Ms Aurora FLORIDIA, Italy, SOC ; Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Gökçe GÖKÇEN, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Kristina IKIĆ BANIČEK, Croatia, SOC ; Ms Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands, SOC ; Ms Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia, SOC ; Ms Anne LAMBELIN, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Mr George PAPANDREOU, Greece, SOC ; Ms Valérie PILLER CARRARD, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Ivan RAČAN, Croatia, SOC ; Ms Azadeh ROJHAN, Sweden, SOC ; Ms Lise SELNES, Norway, SOC ; Ms Sandra ZAMPA, Italy, SOC

Democracy is a fundamental pillar of the Council of Europe and a precondition for the effective protection of human rights and the rule of law. However, recent years have witnessed increasing democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and growing challenges to democratic institutions worldwide. Despite the centrality of democracy within the international system, no dedicated mechanism exists within the United Nations to systematically monitor, analyse, and promote democratic governance.

The establishment of a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Democracy would fill this gap by strengthening international oversight, identifying risks to democratic systems, and promoting best practices for inclusive and resilient governance. It would also complement existing human rights mechanisms and enhance the capacity of the international community to respond to democratic erosion.

The Parliamentary Assembly should therefore call on Council of Europe member States to actively support this initiative within the United Nations Human Rights Council and to contribute to building broad international backing for the establishment of such a mandate, including by:

  • co-sponsoring and advocating for a resolution establishing a Special Rapporteur on Democracy;
  • engaging their diplomatic representations in Geneva to promote cross-regional support;
  • encouraging national parliaments to endorse and advance this initiative.