RAWALPINDI, Sept 13: The first ‘International Day of Democracy’ will be observed on Monday to review the state of democracy around the world.

Throughout history, democracies have flourished, been threatened or dismantled, and re-emerged in societies all over the world. In 2007, the United Nations acknowledged the resilience and universality of the principles of democracy by declaring September 15 the International Day of Democracy.

The date coincides with the adoption, in September 1997, of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Universal Declaration on Democracy which affirms the principles of democracy, the elements and exercise of democratic government, and the international scope of democracy.

The International Day of Democracy is meant both to celebrate these shared principles and as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy, including gender equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms is as urgent now as it ever has been.

This day would be an opportunity for parliaments to emphasize the importance of democracy, what it involves, the challenges it faces as well as the opportunities it offers, and the central responsibility that all parliaments have as the key institution of democracy. And also to examine and discuss how parliament performs its democratic functions.

The year 2008 saw the return of democracy in Pakistan after October 1999 when a democratically-elected government was dethroned by a military regime. The democratic process which started in February with the holding of general elections completed on September 6 when the Parliament elected the new President of the country.

In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “experience has taught us, time and again, that democracy is essential to achieving our fundamental goals of peace, human rights and development. Consolidated democracies do not go to war against each other.” Human rights and the rule of law are best protected in democratic societies.

And development is much likelier to take hold if people are given a genuine say in their own governance, and a chance to share in the fruits of progress,” he said in a message.

The ultimate goal of democracy is to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, to achieve social justice, foster the economic and social development of the community, strengthen the cohesion of society and build a propitious environment for international peace.

IPU says democracy is as much a process as a goal and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, the national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. Democracy, development and human rights are therefore interdependent.

Statistics released by IPU on the occasion of Democracy Day reveals that the lowest recorded turnout so far in 2008 was in elections to the National Assembly of Pakistan (41.80 per cent). In the first six months of 2008, the highest voter turnout was registered in Cuba with 96.89 per cent followed by Malta (93.30 per cent). The number of people who voted in parliamentary elections in 2007 was 340,296,354.