Dansk Interparlamentarisk Gruppes bestyrelse 2008-09
IPU Alm.del Bilag 17
Offentligt
J. C. Lund’s speech at the 120thIPU AssemblyMy fellow parliamentarians.The power of words is indeed great.Therefore I would like to thank the assembly for this opportunity toexpress myself to such a great number of good friends and colleagues.The power of the word ‘Democracy’ is stronger than most. It is a symbolof civilization and hope around the world in countries where democracyunfortunately haven’t yet been settled.This is a good thing as it gives the powerless something to strive for; itgives them a goal and a purpose. It gives them the hope that some daythey too get to control their own destiny.This is why we must be gravely concerned by the growing devaluation ofthe word ‘democracy’. If it is to remain a word of hope it cannot beallowed to become an empty phrase, devoid of all meaning.There must be some parliamentary and institutional requirements, beforewe accept whether or not we are dealing with a true democracy.We cannot just accept that any kind of regime can add the worddemocracy to its name, just because it sounds good.One man one vote does not sum up what democracy is about.There must be civil liberties if we are to talk about democracy.There must be freedom of speech if we are to talk about democracy.There must be protection of minority rights if we are to talk aboutdemocracy.There must be equal rights for men and women, regardless of ethnicity,religion and political views.
For true democracy to exist there must be opposing political viewsrepresented on the ballot. And there must be free and fair elections.Journalists must be allowed to cover each viewpoint in length andbreadth.No candidate should be intimidated or driven to withdraw for holdingcontroversial political views – instead he or she should be met with thepower of the better argument and the greater vision for society.No journalists should fear for their job or their life because they feel anobligation to print the views of all the political candidates and not just theviews of the establishment.Only if these requirements are met can we start to talk about truedemocracy. Only then will the elected parliament represent all the people.Finally I would like to thank you all - both for your important work in theIPU and for listening to me for these few minutes.The work of parliaments is the very core of society. We asparliamentarians have a duty and a responsibility to make sure thatsociety is on the path towards democracy and a better world for ourchildren and grandchildren.It is a great pleasure to be in Africa. But I am deeply worried about theunconstitutional changes in this part of the world over the last years. Letus all condemn these changes. Therefore it is especially encouraging thatthe African Union has condemned these changes.So as a parliamentarian and a grandfather I wish you all a goodconference and I encourage you to keep fighting for democracy and all itentails.