An Overview of Existing Initiatives:
1. United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The UDHR, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, affirms the importance of democratic governance and the rule of law. It recognizes the right to freedom of expression, association, and participation in government, which are essential components of a democratic society.
While the UDHR has been ratified by many nations and is considered a fundamental principle of international law, it is a declaration and not a legally binding treaty. This means that nations are not legally obligated to adhere to its provisions, although they are encouraged to do so.
Source: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
2. United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF): UNDEF supports projects that strengthen democratic governance worldwide, including initiatives aimed at promoting the separation of powers, enhancing judicial independence, and empowering civil society. (see Appendix i - How does the United Nations Democracy Fund work and has it been effective?)
Grants ranging from US$100,000 to US$300,000 support initiatives in the areas of:
Support for Electoral Processes
Women's Empowerment & Gender Equality
Media and Freedom of Information
Rule of Law and Human Rights
Strengthening Civil Society Interaction with Government
Youth Engagement
3. Council of Europe: The Council of Europe, through institutions such as the Venice Commission and the European Court of Human Rights, provides guidance and support to member states in upholding democratic principles, including the division of powers and judicial independence.
In the context of the division of powers, the Venice Commission offers guidance on constitutional frameworks that ensure the separation and balance of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. It evaluates the adequacy of legal provisions, institutional mechanisms, and procedural safeguards to prevent the concentration of power and ensure accountability and checks and balances within government structures.
Source: https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL-PI(2023)001-e
4. The European Parliament's Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group:
The European Parliament's main areas of activity in this domain are the following:
reinforcing parliamentary democracy in non-EU countries,
supporting the parliaments in selected priority countries, notably in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, Western Balkans and Turkey
monitoring and following up elections, developing initiatives involving mediation, facilitation and dialogue
developing activities connected to Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and its network.
Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/globaldemocracysupport/en/home/democracy-group
5. Organization of American States (OAS): The OAS promotes democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in the Americas through initiatives such as the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which reaffirms the importance of the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
The Charter identifies a set of essential values and rights, such as:
respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
periodic free and fair elections;
transparency, probity, and respect for social rights;
exercise of power in accordance with the rule of law;
pluralistic system of political parties and organisations, separation of powers and independence of the branches of government;
elimination of all forms of discrimination;
the right and responsibility of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to their own development.