“Civil society is a prerequisite for a functioning democracy”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, quoting the Reykjavík Principles of Democracy at the opening of the first regular exchange of views with Civil Society, on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy.
“The reality is that democratic backsliding is a terrible fact in many parts of Europe today. Freedom of expression is being curtailed. So too are freedom of assembly and association, with civic space shrinking and peaceful and legitimate protest curtailed by the use and misuse of current laws”, underlined the Secretary General, defining civil society as “the lifeblood of democratic societies”.
Following the “Helsinki Process” started in 2019, the endorsement at the Turin Ministerial session last year and the call at the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government, Marija Pejčinović Burić emphasised the relevance of the Council of Europe efforts in strengthening engagement with civil society organisations, national human rights’ institutions and human rights defenders.
“It is possible to combat the decline of democracy when Member States support civil society, and the Council of Europe co-operates closely with it. Tackling the decline of democracy means defending the values of the Council of Europe. This exchange, whose date coincides with the International Day of Democracy, is an opportunity to express the thoughts that these questions inspire in you”, concluded the Secretary General.
Speech by the Secretary General
