"If democratic retreat is the symptom, human rights can help address some of its causes," ASG Fuentes Julio tells Club de Madrid

Excellencies,

Let me begin by congratulating the Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism for this timely and important report.

If democratic retreat is the symptom, human rights can help address some of its causes.

The report provides a compelling analysis of some of the causes of democratic retreat, including shrinking civic space, widening inequality, and information manipulation.

I would like to offer two reflections on how the United Nations system, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in particular, can help address them.

I: Civic space, democratic participation, and prevention

Democracy depends on more than elections. It depends on people being able to speak freely, participate in public affairs, and hold institutions accountable.

When these rights are not protected at home, people often turn to international mechanisms for protection and accountability. Through our Office, the treaty bodies, the special procedures, and the Universal Periodic Review, the Organization helps protect the rights on which democratic participation depends.

When people are intimidated or punished for engaging with the United Nations, civic space shrinks, participation weakens, and accountability suffers. Addressing such reprisals is a key part of our work.

The report also rightly highlights the links between democratic erosion, constitutional crises, instability, and conflict.

Human rights violations are often early warning signs that democracy is under stress. Restrictions on fundamental freedoms, attacks on independent institutions, discrimination, and exclusion can signal deeper governance challenges that may contribute to instability and conflict.

We recently established the Human Rights Group to ensure that human rights inform and guide the work of the United Nations across all pillars, bringing human rights analysis into prevention, political engagement, and peacebuilding.

II: Inequality, inclusion, and people's trust in democracy

The report notes that many people are losing confidence in democratic institutions because they feel democracy is not responding to their needs and aspirations.

When economic, social and cultural rights are not realized, many people conclude that democracy is failing to deliver. In that environment, political movements can gain support by offering simple solutions to complex problems, while weakening democratic institutions, checks and balances, and the rule of law once in power.

In marking this year’s 60th anniversary of the two Covenants, we should remember that democracy depends on the fulfilment of all human rights – civil, political rights, economic, social and cultural rights.

Conclusion

As the High Commissioner recently warned, AI-powered disinformation is distorting public debate and straining democratic institutions. Human rights can help guide the governance of these technologies through transparency, accountability, and oversight. Prevention remains more effective than repair.

OHCHR is deepening its work on democracy, including through the Global Alliance for Human Rights. We look forward to working with many of you to take these efforts forward.

Thank you.