Resolution on the Consolidation and Promotion of Democracy: 2004 UN Commission on Human Rights

The United States is deeply committed to working with other democracies to promote democratic values in UN bodies. At the 2004 UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the United States, along with Peru, Romania, and Timor-Leste, successfully introduced and passed a resolution that promotes the central elements of democracy. The 53-member Commission adopted the resolution (entitled Enhancing the Role of Regional, Sub-regional and Other Organizations and Arrangements in Promoting and Consolidating Democracy) by a vote of 45 to 0 (with eight abstentions), collecting 73 co-sponsors from both members and non-members of the UN Human Rights Commission.

This resolution is closely linked to the Democracy Caucus, an association of countries that share values consistent with democratic ideals and human rights standards. It represents a movement to proactively strengthen the UN’s efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. This measure is part of the United States’ broader initiative to promote democracy in UN forums and programs, including working to make the Commission’s membership and its work live up to its intended mandate. It is a direct follow-up to the commitment made by well over 100 countries at both the Warsaw and Seoul Ministerial meetings of the Community of Democracies.

The resolution, among other things:

• Reaffirms that the promotion and protection of human rights is a basic prerequisite for a democratic society;
• Acknowledges that democracy contributes substantially to preventing violent conflicts and to accelerating reconstruction in post-conflict peace building;
• Recognizes the need for UN Member States to pay further special attention and contribute to democratic institution building;
• Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to promote democracy by considering designating a focal point in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.