Ribal Al-Assad congratulates Ministers on UK Government's approach to supporting democracy around the world
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne MP ( Image: FCO's photostream)
Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, this week was an invited guest at an event at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, where Foreign Office Minister, Jeremy Browne MP and International Development Minister, Stephen O'Brien MP set out the UK Government's approach to supporting democracy and free and fair elections overseas.
The event was sponsored by Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS) and attended by an invited audience of diplomats, politicians, representatives of NGO's, academics, and democracy experts.
The Ministers gave speeches stating that elections are integral to democracy. They also said that elections are just one part of supporting democracy, which also requires the rule of law, freedom from discrimination, freedom of expression, civil society and strong democratic institutions.
Also the 'How to Note on Electoral Assistance' was published. It will be used by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development staff to help elections meet international standards.
Ribal met with the Ministers and congratulated them on the UK Government's approach to supporting democracy around the world and the launch of the new electoral assistance guidelines.
Stephen O’Brien, Minister for International Development, said:
"The right to vote is a fundamental human right regardless of where you live. Many of the world’s poorest people have no power – no power to shape their own life, no power to make sure government policy meets their needs and no power to hold their leaders to account.
"Democracy can help pull countries out of poverty and this guide is a practical tool for aid workers and diplomats to provide assistance based on where countries have succeeded and failed when running elections."
Jeremy Browne, Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said:
"With the launch of this note, I want to take this opportunity to set out for you the government’s approach to supporting elections and democracy around the world and to reassure you that we understand elections are only a part, necessary but not sufficient, for the advance of democracy.
"But let me start by saying I think elections are important for two fundamental reasons. One - because I believe that individuals should be free to make choices about how their life is governed. And two – because as a citizen, and perhaps even more so as a Member of Parliament and Minister in government, I believe the ability of individuals to hold the state to account is fundamentally important.
"Credible elections enable this: they reflect the views of the population and ensure that those views are respected by those chosen to represent them in Parliament and government; they require the executive to be mindful that they will be held accountable for their actions; they are a check against abuses and the arrogance of power.
"In a representative democracy, candidates should not be swept along on gusts of popular opinion but should stand by principles and policies that they believe are in the best interests of society. A proper electoral process enables the case to be made for these ideas. It is an important exchange that ensures government is democratic, not demagogic.
"But does this mean elections are the full answer - that if individuals are able to vote they are enjoying democracy to the full? Of course not. Elections are a signature of democracy, but not the whole story.
"In too many countries, elections have become a means of consolidating personal and party power, rather than a means by which power can be transferred according to the will of the people. The entire purpose of the election can be skewed and subverted, often by the incumbent government, to create an unlevel playing field and to actually maintain the status quo. Such elections are merely democratic window dressing and do little to advance the individual freedoms of the people to choose their form of government. They intend to confer a stamp of legitimacy onto an illegitimate regime. Recent elections in Burma serve as a particularly insidious example.
"While we understand that democracy develops over time, this is not an excuse for those societies without democracy not to change. We will continue to support its advance worldwide because we believe democracy is the system of government that best allows for individual freedom and gives power to citizens. So what are the elements of democracy that need to be present for individuals to enjoy their freedoms?
"Firstly, it requires the rule of law. Without it, the “tyranny of the majority” can undermine freedoms for the minority. All societies contain people with different interests, many of them competing. The rule of law provides a framework to manage differences and to resolve them peacefully.
"Rule of law means having accountable police who serve the public interest, an independent judiciary and a party political structure that can hold governments to account. People need to have confidence that the state cannot act with impunity. In Zimbabwe in 2008, there was no such confidence as Government-sponsored actions prevented people from exercising their democratic rights without fear of violence and intimidation.
"Secondly, democracy is intrinsically linked with human rights. They are not the same but they cannot survive long without each other. In a democracy each individual is equally important. One person, one vote - no more, no less. But for that to be a reality, the right to freedom from discrimination needs to be protected.
"Democracy needs debate and at the heart of this is freedom of expression. Freedom of expression allows for challenge, and it allows for change. Democracy needs to be participative. We must protect “grassroots” rights, such as the right, and popular tradition here in Britain, of any citizen to organize public meetings, where they can express political views without fear of repression. The media and internet are powerful tools for realising these freedoms. But many countries impose severe limitations on these platforms. Print and broadcast media are censored. Bloggers are monitored. Facebook, even, is blocked.
"Thirdly, the civil society that underpins a truly democratic system cannot operate without the actions of committed individuals. I can think of no better example than Aung San Suu Kyi whose integrity and determination are truly humbling. Her choice to work outside the bogus electoral process demonstrates that elections cannot be our only goal. They must come hand in hand with a strong civil society in which freedom of expression and civil disagreement is embraced by Government and people alike.
"And there are many other inspiring examples. We should never forget Neda Agha-Soltan, killed during the crackdown on protests following the disputed Iranian elections in 2009. Those who stand up against oppressive regimes deserve our admiration and support. They are often targeted by the state, either directly through threats or actual violence, or indirectly through controlling their sources of finance. Their lives are threatened; the lives of their family are made difficult. And yet still they go on, striving at great personal cost to bring about change for the people of their countries.
"And we must never underestimate the change that can be achieved. A formative moment in my lifetime was seeing the joy of thousands of young people at the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. A generation of people liberated from the oppression of authoritarian government after a struggle that had lasted many decades and cost many lives. It was a moment that resonated around the world and has left an indelible mark on history.
"Lastly, democracy needs effective political institutions. It needs opposition parties that are not marginalised and have a stake in the system because they know that in a credible democracy they have the opportunity to win power. It needs a transparent legislature and independent bodies that can hold the government to account.
"So as I have said, Britain supports democracy worldwide because we believe it is the system of government that best allows for individual freedom. But is not only about values: supporting democracy is also in our enlightened national interest. There is correlation between societies that are secure and prosperous, and those that enjoy participative democracy. Democracy assists the peaceful pursuit of political change and the management of power in society. Elections act as the automatic stabilisers of accountability on governments that might otherwise pursue destabilising or irresponsible policies. It is essential to long term security. We also believe that democratic societies are more prosperous in the long run. Democracy creates the right framework for poverty alleviation, reduces corruption and supports sustained economic development.
"The British government is determined to support the hopes and ideals of those seeking democracy around the world."
Commenting on the event and the meeting with the Ministers, ODFS Director Ribal Al-Assad said:
"I was honoured and delighted to be invited as a guest at this Foreign Office event and to meet Ministers Jeremy Browne and Stephen O'Brien. It was my pleasure to congratulate them on UK Government's approach to supporting democracy around the world and the launch of the new electoral assistance guidelines. I agree with every word of the Ministers' speeches. I welcome the British government's determination to support the hopes and ideals of those seeking democracy around the world. In Syria elections have become a means of consolidating personal and party power, rather than a means by which power can be transferred according to the will of the people. The entire purpose of such elections is to confer a stamp of legitimacy onto an illegitimate regime. Also in Syria there is no rule of law, no freedom from discrimination, no freedom of expression, and no civil society. I call on the Syrian regime to move towards peaceful and transitional democratic reform."
Related Links
- Full speech of Stephen O’Brien, Minister for International Development
- Full speech of Jeremy Browne, Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office