Resolution 2001/41 Continuing dialogue on measures to promote and consolidate democracy

Item 11: Civil and political rights

The Commission on Human Rights,

I. Recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights, in particular Assembly resolutions 55/96 of 4 December 2000 and 55/43 of 27 November 2000, and Commission resolution 2000/47 of 25 April 2000,

II. Reaffirming its commitment to the process of democratisation of States, and recognizing that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives,

III. Reaffirming commitments undertaken by Member States for the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations,

IV. Taking note of the initiatives by the countries which participated in the Fourth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, held in Cotonou, Benin in December 2000 and the declaration adopted there,

V. Noting also the ministerial conference entitled "Towards a Community of Democracies", hosted by the Government of Poland from 26 to 27 June 2000, and the Warsaw Declaration from that meeting, the Meeting on the Practices of Democracy, Rights and Freedoms in the French-speaking community, held in Mali, from 1 to 3 November 2000, as well as the Conference of the Organization of American States on the Role of Regional and Multilateral Organizations in the Promotion and Defence of Democracy held from 20 to 21 February 2001,

VI. Recognizing the need continuously to promote respect for democratic values and principles, and improve the functioning of democratic institutions and mechanisms,

VII. Also recognizing and respecting the rich and diverse nature of the community of the world's democracies, which arises out of all of the world's social, cultural and religious beliefs and traditions,

VIII. Noting the UNDP Human Development Report 2000 on Human Rights and Human Development which illustrates the close link between democracy and good governance on the one hand, and economic development and poverty alleviation on the other hand,

IX. Noting the report of the United Nations Secretary General on "Support by the United Nations system of the efforts of governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies",

Invites Member States to continue to foster and participate in a systematic dialogue on the building up of democratic societies and the factors of success and failures in the democratisation processes and notes recent conferences on democracy held since the fifty-sixth session of the Commission;

Welcomes steps taken in a number of countries to promote and consolidate the foundations of still-fragile democratic institutions and the restoration of democracy in a number of nations since the fifty-sixth session of the Commission;

Reaffirms that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing;

Also reaffirms that free and fair elections are an essential feature of democracy and must be part of a broader process which strengthens democratic principles, values, institutions, mechanisms, and practices, which underpin formal democratic structures and the rule of law;

Encourages particular attention to be given to the recommendations of the Secretary General that the UN should work to develop integrated democracy assistance programs and common country strategies that are locally owned and involve a wide array of local actors;

Encourages further the development of broad-based democracy expertise drawn from all regions of the world;

Calls for information sharing and improved coordination in the United Nations system so as to facilitate exchange of lessons learned and best practices in promoting and consolidating democracy;

Invites all Governments, relevant intergovernmental organizations and interested non-governmental organizations to continue and deepen debates aiming at identifying ways and means to promote and consolidate democracy;

Calls upon the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to build upon the work of the aforementioned initiatives and contributions from Member States, and to organize an experts seminar to examine the interdependence between democracy and human rights, to be funded by voluntary contributions, and to include observers from interested governments, experts of the United Nations Specialized agencies, funds, and programs, other relevant inter-governmental organizations and interested non-governmental organizations;

Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to report on the conclusions of the experts seminar to the fifty-ninth session of the Commission;

Further requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to bring the present resolution to the attention of Member States, the competent United Nations organs and relevant inter-governmental and interested non-governmental organizations and to disseminate it on the widest possible basis;

Decide to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-eighth session under the same agenda item. ________________________________________________________________________________

Adopted on 23 April 2001, by roll-call vote: 44 votes in favour, zero votes against, 9 abstentions