Good lawmaking a cornerstone of democracy and human rights protection, OSCE leaders say
Format
VIENNA/WARSAW, 26 April 2021 – Transparent, inclusive lawmaking is vital to underpin democracies and the principles on which they are built, OSCE leaders said as a two-day meeting to discuss topics including the challenges and opportunities of crafting laws in periods of crisis opened today.
Over 370 people from across the OSCE region registered for the online meeting, with representatives from OSCE states, civil society, international organizations and national human rights institutions. Participants will explore recent trends in lawmaking and the particular challenges that arise during periods of crisis, focusing on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They will also discuss the need to increase public participation in the lawmaking process and the benefits that digital tools can bring.
The International community reunited on 16 September 2020 to commemorate
Democracy Day during a time of global crisis and uncertainty, reaffirming the key role of democratic institutions and the importance of protecting human rights. Today, in fact, is a pivotal moment for democracy, and while the pandemic has further exposed inequalities and aggravated life conditions of the most vulnerable, governments around the world have the great opportunity to learn and grow from this crisis in order to build a more sustainable type of democracy for the future.
In an official statement delivered on UN Democracy Day and screened at the event, UN Secretary-General