The Challenge: Democracy in Decline

Increasing consensus holds that democracy is in decline globally. Elements of backsliding include progressive erosion of democratic principles, such as separation of powers, checks and balances, independence of the judiciary and equality before the law; rising perpetuation of disinformation; incremental dismantling of protections for press freedoms and weaponization of the media; and repression of vulnerable populations and minorities, including opposition members, journalists, human rights defenders and legal professionals.

As human rights abuses amass, democratic practices are abandoned, and justice retreats, parliamentarians are on the frontlines. Members of parliament (MPs) have the mandate and responsibility to stand against these dangerous trends. As representatives of the democratic branch closest to citizens, legislators can resist attacks on democracy, shape national agendas, resist executive incursions, and work with civil society to preserve civic and political space.

However, parliamentarians themselves are increasingly at risk in contexts of democratic backsliding. A recent surge of assaults to democracy and civic space often entails attacks on MPs’ physical integrity and psychological wellbeing.

The Response: The Campaign for Democratic Renewal and Human Rights

The annual Freedom House “Freedom in the World” report found 2018 to be the thirteenth consecutive year of deteriorating freedoms across the globe. The crisis has “touched all parts of the world.” Similar reports from a variety of sources reinforce “a drumbeat coming from commentators across the globe: democracy as a global phenomenon is under threat.” Recognizing the urgent menace, PGA inaugurated its Campaign for Democratic Renewal and Human Rights in November 2018.

The campaign underpins work in all of PGA’s programmatic areas and is central to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which commits governments to providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. PGA maintains that democratic governance is both a means to this end and an end in itself. Through their representative, legislative, and oversight functions, parliamentarians are critical to achieving this objective. As the UN notes, “SDG 16 is critical for parliaments and parliaments are critical for SDG 16.”

PGA’s Democratic Renewal Campaign comprises three pillars: