COVID-19 brings home the critical importance of democracy in an era of challenges, ODIHR says

WARSAW, 15 September 2020 – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put democracies to their biggest test in decades, people are increasingly appreciating the vital importance of participating in societies where their voices and concerns are heard, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on today’s International Day of Democracy.

Citizens across the OSCE region are calling for access to democratic participation: through genuine elections and access to the decision-making process, through respect for their rights and freedoms, and through their government’s accordance with the rule of law, which includes the checks and balances on which all true democracies are based.

The emergency measures put in place by many countries in response to the pandemic have had a significant impact on parliaments, courts and elections, as well as the ability of civil society organizations to play their essential role as watchdogs of democracy.

While national leaders need to take responsibility for a transparent response to the pandemic that builds more effective, accountable and inclusive democracies, parliaments and political parties need to be innovative in finding ways to engage citizens and in particular young people, to bridge the gap between decision-makers and the general public. Digital technology has already started to enhance the work of national parliaments across the OSCE region, allowing them to make laws effectively and monitor government action, while continuing to safeguard political pluralism. 

At the same time, governments need to take urgent steps to combat the inequalities and discrimination that have intensified during the pandemic.

The negative impact of COVID-19 on women can be seen both from the surge of violence against women across the OSCE region and in the rise in unemployment that has hit female workers particularly hard. Scapegoating and ill-treatment of minorities has increased the need for targeted action to counter hatred in which all officials, from high-ranking politicians through to law enforcement officers, play their role in building tolerant societies. The development of policies and legislation must therefore respect the diversity in all our societies, based on public consultation. A transparent and accountable law-making process supports anti-corruption efforts, reinforces good governance, and provides access to justice for all, in line with a key UN Sustainable Development Goal.

In its recent report on states of emergency and other responses to the pandemic taken by countries across the OSCE region, ODIHR acknowledged the challenges of protecting the health and safety of the population while ensuring that democratic institutions can continue working. As well as including good practices across the region, the report contains recommendations to help countries as they face a resurgent virus at the same time as the need to ensure that all democratic checks and balances are restored.