Overview
Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) calls on the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy to report and advise the United Nations on the state of democracy as it relates to human rights. This independent authority would:
- Monitor global and regional democratic governance
- Identify risks of democratic backsliding
- Promote good practices and advise governments and parliaments
- Engage civil society and marginalized communities to inform policy
This initiative builds on decades of parliamentary advocacy and complements existing UN human rights mechanisms, providing a dedicated, cross-cutting focus on democracy worldwide.
Background
Democracy is under unprecedented pressure worldwide. Shrinking civic space, rising authoritarianism, and the erosion of democratic norms threaten human rights, peace, and accountable governance. At this critical moment, Parliamentarians for Global Action is advancing a new initiative to strengthen democratic governance through the international human rights system.
Building on PGA’s ongoing efforts and broad parliamentary support, we are launching a Parliamentary Resolution in Support of the Establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy. This resolution calls on the United Nations Human Rights Council to create a dedicated mandate — a Special Rapporteur on Democracy — to monitor democratic practices, identify emerging risks, promote good practices, and support effective, rights‑based democratic governance worldwide.
The resolution draws on decades of successful advocacy on democracy and emphasizes the unique role parliamentarians play in safeguarding democratic accountability, inclusiveness, and the rule of law. It also responds directly to calls from civil society organizations, inter‑parliamentary bodies, and democratic actors for a more structured and systemic approach to democracy within the United Nations human rights architecture.
Why Sign?
Democracy is facing a critical global moment. Shrinking civic space, rising authoritarianism, and eroding democratic norms threaten human rights, peace, and accountable governance. Using your voice as a parliamentarian can:
- Protect democratic institutions and uphold civic freedoms
- Amplify the voices of women, youth, and marginalized communities
- Support a UN mandate that provides early warning and guidance on democratic risks
- Position yourself as a global defender of democracy
Why This Matters - Next Steps for Legislators
The establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy would enhance the international community’s capacity to safeguard democratic governance at a moment of profound global challenge. For legislators, this initiative offers a strategic opportunity to reinforce democratic norms internationally while advancing national commitments to human rights, the rule of law, and accountable institutions.
A dedicated UN mandate would:
- Provide early warning of democratic erosion, enabling States and parliaments to respond before crises escalate;
- Promote good practices in electoral integrity, parliamentary independence, inclusive political participation, and checks and balances;
- Elevate citizen voices, particularly those of women, youth, and marginalized groups whose participation is essential to democratic legitimacy;
- Strengthen multilateral cooperation on democracy promotion by aligning national policies with international human rights standards;
- Reaffirm the UN’s commitment
to the rights articulated in Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, ensuring democracy remains a core priority across the UN
agenda.
Parliamentary Resolution in Support of the Establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy
Preamble
Recognizing that democracy is the best system to protect human rights, enshrined in key international instruments, including Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government,” and that democratic principles are central to the legitimacy, accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness of political institutions;
Affirming that democratic backsliding, the erosion of civic space, and the rise of authoritarianism pose serious and growing risks to the enjoyment of human rights, as well as to peace, stability, and sustainable development worldwide;
Acknowledging that existing United Nations mechanisms, including Human Rights Council thematic mandates, protect key democratic rights, but that no dedicated mandate currently provides a comprehensive, structural, and systemic focus on democracy;
Further acknowledging that civil society organizations, inter-parliamentary bodies, and other relevant stakeholders have called for the creation of a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Democracy to help address this gap in the international human rights architecture;
Recalling that the United Nations Human Rights Council has established a wide range of independent, pro bono Special Rapporteurs under its “special procedures” system, who serve as impartial experts tasked with fact-finding, consultation, research, reporting, and the formulation of recommendations;
Recognizing that a Special Rapporteur on Democracy could complement existing mandates by providing cross-cutting institutional and structural analysis, identifying emerging risks and good practices, and supporting capacity-building efforts related to democratic governance;
Affirming that parliamentarians play a critical role in safeguarding democracy, promoting accountability, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring inclusive political representation, particularly for women, youth, marginalized groups, and underrepresented communities.
Operative Clauses
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Calls upon the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish, as soon as feasible, a new thematic mandate, namely, a Special Rapporteur on Democracy, under the system of independent special procedures.
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Requests that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Democracy be clearly defined and grounded in international human rights law. It may include the following core functions:
a. Monitoring and Analysis
- Conduct structural, institutional, and comparative analysis of democratic governance at the global and regional levels;
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities related to democratic backsliding, democratic resilience, and reform;
- Assess the state of civic space, political participation, electoral integrity, checks and balances, parliamentary effectiveness, and accountability mechanisms.
b. Fact-Finding and Reporting
- Undertake country visits, with the consent of States, to assess democratic practices, challenges, and reforms;
- Gather information from a wide range of stakeholders, including citizens, civil society organizations, marginalized communities, parliaments, political parties, and regional and international bodies;
- Prepare and present reports to the Human Rights Council, and where appropriate to the General Assembly, containing findings, analysis, identified good practices, and recommendations.
c. Cooperation and Coordination
- Work closely with existing UN Special Rapporteurs and mandate holders, including those on freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and the independence of judges and lawyers, to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication;
- Establish consultative mechanisms, including engagement with democracy scholars, civil society practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders, to inform the mandate’s work and ensure expert input.
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Urges United Nations Member States, particularly those committed to democratic governance and human rights, to co-sponsor and actively support establishing the Special Rapporteur on Democracy.
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Encourages parliamentarians, through national parliaments, parliamentary caucuses, and inter-parliamentary organizations, to champion this initiative within their national delegations to the United Nations and to build sustained political momentum for the creation and support of this mandate.
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Calls for meaningful engagement with civil society organizations, youth movements, marginalized groups, and grassroots democratic actors in supporting the work of the Rapporteur, ensuring that their perspectives and lived experiences inform its analysis and recommendations.
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Requests that the Special Rapporteur pay particular attention to issues of democratic inclusion, including the political participation and representation of women, youth, minorities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized or underrepresented groups.
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Affirms that the establishment of this mandate would strengthen global efforts to uphold human rights, reinforce the rule of law, and reaffirm the centrality of democracy within the United Nations system, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
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Decides to transmit this resolution to the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Permanent Missions of Member States, and relevant inter-parliamentary and multilateral networks.
The health and resilience of democratic systems worldwide are essential to the protection and fulfillment of human rights. Supporting the creation of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy would help strengthen democratic institutions, counter authoritarian backsliding, and empower citizens to participate meaningfully in shaping their societies. We therefore call upon all democratically minded parliamentarians and States to join this effort and to lend their voice and influence to making this mandate a reality.
Concrete Next Steps for Legislators
- Table a Parliamentary Question
Introduce a parliamentary question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to clarify the government’s position on the proposed Special Rapporteur on Democracy and to encourage proactive support. - Introduce a Parliamentary
Motion or Resolution
Sponsor or support a motion affirming parliamentary backing for the mandate, reinforcing the government’s diplomatic position and signaling cross-party commitment. - Engage with the Foreign Ministry
and UN Mission
Request briefings and urge your country’s Permanent Mission in Geneva or New York to explore co-sponsorship of a resolution establishing the UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy. - Coordinate with Regional and
Inter-Parliamentary Networks
Build momentum through cross-party and cross-border collaboration, encouraging collective action within regional and thematic parliamentary bodies. - Amplify Civil Society Voices
Engage with democracy and human rights organizations to inform parliamentary advocacy and strengthen public messaging. - Public Communication and
Awareness
Use parliamentary statements, media engagement, social media, and opinion pieces to highlight the importance of protecting democracy globally. - Prepare for United Nations
Human Rights Council or United Nations General Assembly Sessions
Monitor upcoming sessions where the initiative may be tabled and encourage early endorsement or co-sponsorship by national governments.
