Twentieth anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

The Dominican Delegation would like to express its thanks and appreciation for the presentations made by the authorities who have joined us on the occasion of the commemoration of the Twentieth Anniversary of the adoption of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The Inter-American Democratic Charter, together with the Charter of the Organization of American States, are without any doubt two fundamental instruments on which our Organization rests.

We meet here today to commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of the signing of the Inter-American Democratic Charter in Lima, Peru: the guide par excellence to the lines that governments and political and social actors must follow in seeking to achieve democratic governance accompanied by social, political and economic development, with social inclusion and ever stronger institutions. To achieve these ends, it is indispensable to continue strengthening the participation of the different actors of civil society, the private sector, young people, workers and vulnerable communities such as people of African descent and Indigenous Peoples.

The strengthening of democracy is a continuous process and a commitment of all the Member States of our Organization. In that regard, the Inter-American Democratic Charter identifies as essential elements of representative democracy, among others: respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; access to and the exercise of power in accordance with the rule of law; the holding of periodic, free and fair elections; a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations; and the separation and independence of the branches of government.

The Dominican Republic believes that a very important matter deserving attention is the strengthening of prevention and warning mechanisms for the collective protection of democracy in our countries, as well as the need for effective instruments to prevent democratic crises or breakdowns; in particular, the establishment of mechanisms that complement the Inter-American Democratic Charter and can improve the capacity of the Organization of American States (OAS) for preventive action. Consideration should be given to institutionalizing specific rapporteurships in order to provide structure and uniform follow-up in our Hemisphere.

As regards the strengthening of democracy and the holding of elections, the Dominican Republic, although with challenges of various kinds, has held democratic elections for more than forty years and is today a stable democracy with a climate of peace and social stability, which has been key to continuing a process of inclusive economic and social development, above all in these past eighteen months in which humanity has been so dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all fairness, it must be recognized that, although there will always be challenges to overcome, the political class and the different social and economic actors and civil society of our country have acted over the years with ever greater maturity and in pursuit of the further strengthening of our institutions and of the independence of the branches of government. Special recognition must also be given to the support of this Organization, notably the electoral observation missions (EOMs) that have accompanied our electoral processes for more than half a century. Throughout these processes of electoral observation, the OAS has provided technical support and offered recommendations for strengthening our electoral system on matters such as the electoral legal framework, electoral organization, the use of electoral technology, the political participation of women, campaign financing and electoral justice, among others.

That said, to make the principles contained in the Inter-American Democratic Charter more effective, and to attain democracy and the rule of law with full respect for human rights in its highest dimension, the holding of elections will not be enough by itself; many other things are needed, and they are all interrelated.

Mr. Chair, dear colleagues, we are aware that all of us gathered here are committed to the principles and values of our Organization, chiefly with regard to the rule of law, the strengthening of our democracies, respect for human rights, the independence of the branches of government, access to education, the reduction of poverty and the eradication of extreme poverty, the elimination of all forms of discrimination, freedom of expression, the fight against corruption, transparency in public administration and the fight against organized crime, to name only a few. In that regard, we must continue to strengthen the mechanisms of cooperation established in our Organization in pursuit of peace, social and political stability and the well-being of all the peoples of the Americas.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.