International Day of Democracy 2020

That the Parliament notes that 15 September 2020 is International Day of Democracy; understands that this year has provided a sustained challenge to democratic principles as a result of countries trying to tackle COVID-19; believes that, while all measures taken to suppress the virus may be necessary, it is of the utmost importance that countries uphold the rule of law, maintain and respect international standards and principles of law and maintain the right of access to justice, remedies and due process; considers that the UN’s identified COVID-19 threats to democracies, which include increased misinformation and hate speech, gender-based violence and rising inequality, must be tackled, and condemns events across the globe, such as those in Belarus, that it considers have undermined democratic principles such as free and fair elections and the upholding of the rule of law.