15/09/2009 - 45 representatives of non governmental organisations, civil society, the media as well as the National Anti corruption commission (CONAC) and the new elections management body in Cameroon (ELECAM) took part in the conference debate at the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa to mark the 2nd edition of the International day of Democracy last September 15th.
Placed under the theme “the fundamental principles of Democracy, standards and practice”, the conference aimed at exploring the different notions of Democracy in relation to the principles set forth in international instruments. It was also an opportunity for participants to expand their knowledge of the subject through exchanges with members of the panel.

For two hours, they debated around the presentation made by Professor Jean Louis Atangana of the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC). According to the professor, the fact that there is no standard model for Democracy has brought about different interpretations and different claims of legitimacy by governments even when they know the basic principles enshrined in international human Rights instruments have not been respected. He also expounded on the notion of defining Democracy as “Power of the people, for the people and by the people” describing it as logical in principle but far fetched in reality.

 To obtain an acceptable level of democratic practice is a long and painful exercise, which needs the commitment of all stakeholders both at national and international level. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navy Pillay, “The attainment and maintenance of democracy is a relentless, on-going process which deserves our struggle and sacrifice. The same goes for the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the democracy-supporting norms and standards enshrined in the United Nations Charter and wide array of international human rights treaties and other instruments. Democracy and human rights go hand in hand: if one stumbles, then so does the other”.

In presenting the mandate of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa, which seeks to promote democracy through reinforcing the capacities of national actors as well as accompanying states of the sub region in their democracy goals, the regional adviser on democracy, Abdoulaye Traoré said there has been relative improvement in the evolution of democracy in the sub region. He however stressed that a lot still needs to be done to attain an acceptable level of Democracy practice in the sub region. Basing on the mandate of the Centre, this can only be possible if member states express their need for true progress in their democratic systems.

The conference debate which held in the conference room of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa was organized by the Centre in collaboration with the International relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) and the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF).