The press release with the title "Secretary General Insulza:" The construction and consolidation of democracy is an ongoing process that requires advocacy, is embargoed until 18:00 of Costa Rica ( 20:00 EDT, 0:00 GMT)
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Jose Miguel Insulza, today participated in subregional dialogue held in Costa Rica by members of the Central American Integration System and Mexico under the title "Democracy for Peace, Security and Development", in which an analysis of evolution of democracy in the region, the various milestones that have marked its development and the challenges facing the same to continue to strengthen.
In the meeting, held within the framework of the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and 30 years of the democratic process in Central America, the Secretary General as "very suitable to take stock of democracy in the current global context, where in the Middle East, the emergence of civic movements demanding democracy and freedom, against authoritarian regimes that for years have remained in power, has led to what is called the 'Arab spring'. "
By highlighting some of the characteristics of the Inter-American Democratic Charter (IDC), the head of the hemispheric organization reminded that this document "establish a definition of democracy that goes beyond a minimalist conception of it, ie a tight definition of democracy only to the election, as a way of choice and majority government. "
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Jose Miguel Insulza, today participated in subregional dialogue held in Costa Rica by members of the Central American Integration System and Mexico under the title "Democracy for Peace, Security and Development", in which an analysis of evolution of democracy in the region, the various milestones that have marked its development and the challenges facing the same to continue to strengthen.
In the meeting, held within the framework of the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and 30 years of the democratic process in Central America, the Secretary General as "very suitable to take stock of democracy in the current global context, where in the Middle East, the emergence of civic movements demanding democracy and freedom, against authoritarian regimes that for years have remained in power, has led to what is called the 'Arab spring'. "
By highlighting some of the characteristics of the Inter-American Democratic Charter (IDC), the head of the hemispheric organization reminded that this document "establish a definition of democracy that goes beyond a minimalist conception of it, ie a tight definition of democracy only to the election, as a way of choice and majority government. "
thus explained the elements contained in the Charter that are considered essential to democracy, including: the rule of law, the holding of periodic, free and fair elections, respect for human rights pluralism and the separation of public powers. Another representative stressed the central nucleus of the same and therefore the "key role political parties play in this context."
In his speech, the Secretary General Insulza also made reference to the mechanisms included in the Commission to address the crisis and respond to threats to the democratic constitutional order.
In his speech, the Secretary General Insulza also made reference to the mechanisms included in the Commission to address the crisis and respond to threats to the democratic constitutional order.
"Between 2001 and 2010, was in the region five presidencies interrupted and several political crises destabilizing effect on democracy in those countries," he said.
Since the adoption of the Charter in 2001, he continued, "This has proven to be effective in its ability to prevent and resolve conflicts and political crises in the region," and cited episodes in which the OAS played a role of facilitator and negotiating peaceful solutions to overcome political situations, specifically in Venezuela (2002), Nicaragua (2005), Ecuador (2005 and 2010), Bolivia (2008), Guatemala (2009) and Honduras (2009).
"Despite this relatively positive assessment regarding the effectiveness of CDI, it is not without its critics. An update of the Charter is required meet the challenges and risks that threaten the consolidation and the very essence of democracy.
"Despite this relatively positive assessment regarding the effectiveness of CDI, it is not without its critics. An update of the Charter is required meet the challenges and risks that threaten the consolidation and the very essence of democracy.
not faced with situations of violent or sudden death of democracy, but rather to a slow death. That is, a process of involution, where the essential elements of democracy or are eroded and even violated. In this way, democracy falls into a gray area, where a distinction is no longer clear what is and, therefore, becomes a hybrid system, "he said.
"Given these risks and challenges, the Charter can be improved," he continued, explaining his proposal to reform the Charter based on three pillars: To provide the Secretary-General more authority to conduct a more active monitoring and prevention in situations of risk, expanding the range of actors with ability to activate the mechanisms envisaged in the Charter and include the legislative branch, the branch Judicial, and others, and refine the menu of events or situations that pose a threat or a constitutional democratic order.
Referring to the challenges and risks that impair the principles of democracy, the Secretary-General highlighted the concentration of power and erosion of civil liberties and political.
"Given these risks and challenges, the Charter can be improved," he continued, explaining his proposal to reform the Charter based on three pillars: To provide the Secretary-General more authority to conduct a more active monitoring and prevention in situations of risk, expanding the range of actors with ability to activate the mechanisms envisaged in the Charter and include the legislative branch, the branch Judicial, and others, and refine the menu of events or situations that pose a threat or a constitutional democratic order.
Referring to the challenges and risks that impair the principles of democracy, the Secretary-General highlighted the concentration of power and erosion of civil liberties and political.
noted
the existence of structural threats "that eat away the very foundations of democracy," including poverty, inequality and discrimination, like violence, organized crime and drug trafficking.
In this regard he cited a series of drawings that illustrate the impact of these scourges: the external, in relation to the tension in bilateral relations and regional drug trafficking, arms and people, the plane economy, which affects growth and development of countries, the social sphere, including the increasing violence and distrust, the level of governance, as reflected in the decline in the level popular approval of government and the politicization of the safety level of the institutions, raised in the increasing distrust in the judiciary, and the level of democracy, as evidenced by the increase in vigilante justice and a greater propensity toward human rights violation.
"Unfortunately, not many best practices and success stories in regard to combating organized crime and drug trafficking," said the Secretary General, who advocated the search for alternative approaches and new solutions to address this problem. "Instead of insisting over and over again with prospects and policies along the years have made the most progress, I think it's time to rethink what we've been doing in this area and propose alternatives, "he said.
"Unfortunately, not many best practices and success stories in regard to combating organized crime and drug trafficking," said the Secretary General, who advocated the search for alternative approaches and new solutions to address this problem. "Instead of insisting over and over again with prospects and policies along the years have made the most progress, I think it's time to rethink what we've been doing in this area and propose alternatives, "he said.
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