Safeguarding and promoting genuine democracy in Europe
Reply to Recommendation
| Doc. 15614
| 22 September 2022
- Author(s):
- Committee of Ministers
- Origin
- Adopted at the 1442nd meeting
of the Ministers’ Deputies (14 September 2022). 2022 - Fourth part-session
- Reply to Recommendation
- : Recommendation 2232
(2022)
2. The Committee shares the Assembly’s grave concern about democratic
backsliding in Europe and echoes its view that only genuine democracies
may guarantee democratic security and achieve this common goal of
“the pursuit of peace based upon justice and international co-operation”,
as outlined in the Statute of the Council of Europe.
3. The Committee agrees that genuine democracy requires the full
implementation of the commitments entered into by States on joining
the Council of Europe, and in particular guaranteeing the right
to freedom of thought and expression, while combating disinformation;
guaranteeing freedom of assembly and association; guaranteeing the
safety of human rights defenders; guaranteeing the independence
and pluralism of the media; guaranteeing an effective, impartial
and independent judiciary; ensuring full respect by the executive, the
legislature and any other State authority for the rule of law, including
the principles of legality, legal certainty and the obligation to
abide by the judgments and decisions of the courts. Genuine democracy
also requires ensuring that the legislative process is as inclusive
as possible; promoting equality and providing effective protection
against discrimination and hatred; guaranteeing good democratic
governance; including education for democratic citizenship in the
curriculum from the earliest age; involving citizens in political
decision making, including through consultation and other inclusive
forms of participation and deliberation.
4. In order to combat democratic backsliding, the Parliamentary
Assembly calls for the setting up of a permanent platform on democracy
and an early warning mechanism. The Committee considers that in
order to achieve tangible results and avoid any unnecessary confusion
or overlaps, the purpose and terms of reference of a permanent platform
on democracy should be clearly defined. Synergy with existing mechanisms and
bodies such as the World Forum for Democracy and the Conference
of INGOs would also need to be ensured. Setting up the early warning
mechanism would require drawing up a set of standards and benchmarks against
which to assess the information gathered on democratic decay in
a particular State. In this respect, the Committee points out that
the CDDG is currently preparing a draft recommendation of the Committee
of Ministers on the principles of good democratic governance, which
will provide a useful set of benchmarks for identifying shortcomings
and deficiencies as well as desirable improvements. The Centre of
Expertise for Good Governance is also planning to develop specific
indicators to assist self-assessment schemes. Concurrently, the
Committee may consider holding subsequent discussions to further
reflect on a possible early warning mechanism based on the above-mentioned
documents.
5. The Committee of Ministers notes that defending and strengthening
democracy is the very essence of the Council of Europe’s work. Accordingly,
if the Committee decides to hold a 4th Summit
of Heads of State and Government, particular attention should be
paid to the initiatives to be taken by the Organisation – possibly in
co-operation with other international organisations – to combat
democratic backsliding.
