Jump to Content Jump to Main Navigation

Part 3 The United Nations: What it Does, 19 Democratic Governance

Dame Rosalyn Higgins DBE QC, Philippa Webb, Dapo Akande, Sandesh Sivakumaran, James Sloan

From: Oppenheim's International Law: United Nations

Rosalyn Higgins, Philippa Webb, Dapo Akande, Sandesh Sivakumaran, James Sloan

From: Oxford Public International Law (http://opil.ouplaw.com). (c) Oxford University Press, 2023. All Rights Reserved.date: 28 March 2023

Subject(s):
Self-determination — Civil and political rights — Democracy — Rule of law

Democratic principles are ‘woven throughout the normative fabric of the United Nations’ (UN); and are grounded in the UN Charter, despite the fact that the word ‘democracy’ cannot be found in the Charter. One of the purposes of the UN is the development of friendly relations among nations ‘based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples’. Democratic governance is also based on individual rights in international human rights law. This chapter discusses the underpinnings of democratic governance; areas of UN assistance; political pluralism; electoral assistance; strengthening and building institutions; civic education; civil society; free and independent media; promoting the rule of law; and protection and promotion of human rights.

Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. Please, subscribe or login to access all content.