Date/Time
Date(s) - Friday - Jan 24, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Categories
Thematic Forum on Democracy and Human Rights: Key Challenges and Common Struggles for Democracy and Human Rights in Asia
Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/DemHum
January 24, 2025 at 4:00 pm Bangkok or 5:00 pm Philippines
Introduction
Democracy serves as a cornerstone of modern governance, offering a framework for political participation, the protection of human rights, and adherence to the rule of law. Across Asia’s diverse nations, the journey toward democracy is a tapestry of progress and challenges.
The State of Democracy in 2024
The year 2024 was eventful for pro-democracy and human rights advocates in Asia. While democratic processes advanced in some areas, setbacks loomed large:
- Co-optation of Democratic Institutions: The rise of autocratic governance and human rights degradation.
- Elections in 22 Countries: Pro-democracy advocates voiced concerns over outcomes that favored the status quo or retrogressive values.
- Political Shifts: Nations like Thailand and Bangladesh highlighted the evolving democratic landscape, underscoring both progress and setbacks.
Emerging Challenges
Democratic progress faces numerous obstacles:
- Misinformation and Polarization: Disrupting democratic cohesion and trust.
- Weakened Institutions: Eroding the foundations of democratic governance.
- Global Issues: Securitization, climate change, and illiberal influences compound regional challenges.
- Conflicts and Under-Democratization: Ongoing struggles in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Afghanistan emphasize the fragility of democratic institutions.
Human Rights Under Siege
The spread of autocratic values has exacerbated human rights violations:
- Transnational Repression: Targeting pro-democracy diaspora members.
- Freedom Violations: Restrictions on assembly, association, and expression in nations like Palestine, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China.
- Attacks on Advocates: Enforced disappearances, harassment, lawsuits, and torture have targeted countless human rights defenders.
Call to Action
Despite these challenges, pro-democracy civil society organizations (CSOs) and advocates continue their vital work. Reflecting on the momentum gained at WSF2024 in Nepal, there is an urgent need to sustain and expand solidarity efforts:
- Synergized Advocacy: Addressing fundamental democratic challenges through unified strategies.
- Platform for Deliberation: CSOs and social movements must have a space to discuss these pressing issues, express concerns, and demand a peaceful, just, and sustainable world order.
Upcoming Event: January 24, 2025
The Democracy and Human Rights Thematic Pillar will host a crucial discussion on the state of democracy in Asia and the ongoing human rights struggles.
- Event Focus: Presentations from speakers across Asia, sharing insights from their respective nations.
- Objective: Promote awareness, strategize solutions, and amplify calls for change.
Together, let’s continue the fight for democracy and human rights in Asia.
