draft au declaration on elections, democracy and governance

Preparing to Celebrate the SacramentA Prayer for Light and CourageGod our Father in heaven, send your Holy Spirit into my heart. Point outmy sins. Supply the courage I need to confess them honestly. Help me tobelieve you are always willing to forgive. Remove my sin and guilt, fillme with peace, then send me away strong, free and determined I will bebetter in the days ahead. I ask for these things through Jesus, your Son,who is my Lord and Saviour. Amen.From the Prophet Ezekiel“I will give them a single heart and I will put a new spirit within them; Iwill remove the heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart offlesh instead, so that they will keep my laws and respect my observancesand put them into practice. Then they shall be my people and I will betheir God.”Some Things to Think AboutWhat kind of relationship do I have with God?Is it real and personal? Is my faith nourished by the Word of God and bythe gift of Christ in the Eucharist? Do I worship God with his communityeach weekend and so strengthen the bonds of love and unity in my ownparish? Do I give a good example to others, especially my own family, bythe way I pray at home and in church? Do I allow God to forgive me?What kind of relationship do I have with other people?With my family – husband, wife, children, brothers, sisters? With myneighbours? And those with whom I work? And what about fellowparishioners? Am I kind and considerate? Understanding? Loving?Respectful? Charitable? Am I critical of others? Do I gossip? Do I forgive?Do I give a good example to others in my speech and actions?How to Go to ConfessionAfter a thorough examination of conscience, the Penitent approaches theSacrament of Reconciliation. You must have both true contrition (be trulysorry), and a firm resolve to amend one’s life.The Penitent begins:“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (how long?) since my lastconfession. These are my sins...”Tell the priest your sins. A good confession means confessing all the sinsyou remember, since your last confession, including the number of timesany mortal sins were committed.After confessing all your sins, say:“For these and all my sins, I am truly sorry”.The priest may discuss your confession with you and then gives you apenance to be said later and asks you to say an Act of Contrition, using aformal prayer, or your own words.After you have said an Act of Contrition the priest then gives youAbsolution, forgiving all sins committed since your last confession.The priest may finish by saying ‘Go in peace’ or something similar.There is no need to use these exact words, they are here as a help and asuggestion. If you are unsure what to say or what to do, please ask thepriest for help. The Priest is there to help you through this celebration togrow in your love for God.Many ‘Confessional Boxes’ offer an option of sitting behind a screen orin front of the priest. You may choose whatever you prefer.

Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1), 20 th February 2003Transparency in government activities, accountability, probity, and responsible publicadministration on the part of governments, respect for social rights, and freedom ofexpression and of the press, and freedom of association, and assembly are essentialcomponents of the exercise of democracy.The constitutional subordination of all state institutions to the legally constituted civilian<strong>au</strong>thority and respect for the rule of law on the part of all institutions and sectors ofsociety are equally essential to democracy.Article 5The strengthening of political parties, parliaments, local governments, civil society andother institutions of political participation is a priority for democracy.Special attention will be paid to the independence of the Electoral Commission, theproblems associated with violence during election campaigns, and the transparent andequitable access to public resources, including the Media, for all political parties andcandidates in the pre-election period.Article 6It is the right and responsibility of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to theirown development and it is the responsibility of governments to create an enablingenvironment. This is also a necessary condition for the full and effective exercise ofdemocracy. Promoting and fostering diverse forms of participation, including enablingdialogue between governments and civil society strengthens democracy.II. Democracy and Human RightsArticle 7Democracy is indispensable for the effective exercise of fundamental freedoms andhuman rights in their universality, and interdependence, embodied in the respectiveconstitutions of states, and African and international human rights instruments.Article 8Any person or group of persons who consider that their human rights have been violatedmay present claims or petitions to the African system for the promotion and protection ofhuman rights in accordance with its established procedures.Member states reaffirm their intention to strengthen and to comply with the Africansystem for the protection of human rights for the consolidation of democracy in theContinent.Article 9Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1) 20 th February, 2003 4

Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1), 20 th February 2003The elimination of all forms of discrimination, especially those based on gender, ethnicand race discrimination as well as diverse forms of intolerance, the promotion, inclusionand protection of human rights of women, ethnic minorities, migrants, disabled, refugeesand displaced persons or any other disenfranchised groups.Respect for ethnic, cultural and religious diversity in Africademocracy and citizen participation.contribute to strengtheningArticle 10The promotion and strengthening of democracy requires the full and effective exercise ofworkers’ rights and the application of core labor standards, as recognized in theInternational Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles andRights at Work, and its Follow-up, adapted in 1998, as well as other related fundamentalILO conventions. Democracy is strengthened by improving standards in the workplace,enhancing the quality of life for workers and by promoting social policies in theContinent. .III. Democracy, Sustainable Development, and Combating Poverty and Illiteracy,and ConflictArticle 11Sustainable stability in Africa demands the establishment and strengthening ofdemocratic structures and accountable and transparent governance based on the rule oflaw and the elimination of corruption.Conflict is one of the most serious threats to democracy and development in Africa. TheAU members commit themselves to promote peace, security and stability in theirrespective countries, regions and in the continent by fostering participatory politicalsystems with well functioning inclusive institutions, by promoting solidarity with othercountries and by supporting the conflict prevention and resolution initiatives that the AUmay undertake.Article 12Poverty, illiteracy, and low levels of human development are factors that adversely affectthe consolidation of democracy in Africa. The AU member states are committed toadopting and implementing all those actions required to generate productive employment,reduce poverty, and eradicate extreme poverty and illiteracy, taking into account thedifferent economic realities and conditions of the countries of the Continent . This sharedcommitment to address the problems associated with development and poverty alsounderscores the importance and the obligation to strengthen social awareness, cohesionand democracy.Article 13Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1) 20 th February, 2003 5

Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1), 20 th February 2003The promotion and observance of economic, social and cultural rights are inherentlylinked to integral development, equitable economic growth, and to the consolidation ofdemocracy in the states of the Continent .Article 14Member states agree to review periodically the actions adopted and carried out by the AUto promote dialogue, cooperation for integral development, and the fight against poverty,illiteracy in the Continent, and to take the appropriate measures to further theseobjectives.Article 15The principles of democracy and popular participation, equal opportunity and equitableaccess and transparent redistribution of resources for all people must underlie alldevelopment objectives and strategies;Partnership, trust and transparency between leaders and citizens will be critical to ensuresustainable development, based on mutual responsibilities and a shared vision.It is essential that the African states implement policies and strategies to protect theenvironment, including application of various treaties and conventions, to achievesustainable development for the benefit of future generations.Article 16Education is key to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the development ofhuman potential, alleviating poverty and fostering greater understanding among Africanpeoples. To achieve these ends, it is essential that a quality education be available to all,especially girls and women, rural inhabitants, minorities, disabled and otherdisfranchised groups.IV. Strengthening and Protecting Democratic InstitutionsArticle 17It is the obligation of member states to uphold the principles of democracy and tostrengthen and protect democratic institutions. Strict adherence to these principles and thestrengthening of democratic institutions reduces the risk of unconstitutional change. It isthe responsibility of the African Union to support all efforts aimed at promotingadherence to these principles.Article 18When situation arise in a member state that may affect the development of its democraticpolitical institutional process or the legitimate exercise of power, the AU Commission, atthe behest of any member state, the Chair of the AU or the Commission itself, mayDraft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1) 20 th February, 2003 6

Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1), 20 th February 2003arrange for visits or other actions in order to analyze the situation. The AU Commissionwill submit a report to the Assembly, which will undertake a collective assessment of thesituation and, where necessary, may adopt decisions for the preservation of thedemocratic system and its strengthening as agreed under the security and stability pillarsof the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration. These decisions may include, but are not limited tothe deployment of; diplomatic missions and good offices, mediators, peace monitors,peacekeepers, peacemakers and peace-enforcers.Article 19Based on the principles of the Constitutive Act of the AU and subject to its norms, and inaccordance with the Declaration of Lomé, an unconstitutional interruption of thedemocratic order or an unconstitutional alternation of the constitutional regime thatseriously impairs the democratic order in a member state, constitutes, while it persists, aninsurmountable obstacle to its government's participation in sessions of the Assembly, theExecutive Council, Permanent Representatives Committee, Specialized TechnicalCommittees, Economic, Social and Cultural Council, Financial institutions of the AU,the specialized conferences, the commissions, working groups, and other bodies of theAU .An unconstitutional change is recognised as;a military coup d’état against a democratically elected government;intervention by mercenaries to replace a democratically elected government;the replacement of democratically elected government by armed dissidents andrebels;or the refusal of an incumbent government to relinquish power to the winningparty after free, fair and regular elections.Article 20In the event of an unconstitutional alteration of the constitutional regime that seriouslyimpairs the democratic order in a member state, any member state, the Chairperson of theAssembly or the Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council may request theimmediate convocation of the Assembly to undertake a collective assessment of thesituation and to take such decisions as it deems appropriate.The Peace and Security Council, depending on the situation, may adopt decisions for therestoration of the democratic system and its strengthening as agreed under the securityand stability pillars of the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration. These decisions may include,but are not limited to the deployment of; diplomatic missions and good offices,mediators, peace monitors, peacekeepers, peacemakers and peace-enforcers.If such diplomatic initiatives prove unsuccessful, or if the urgency of the situation sowarrants, the Peace and Security Council shall immediately convene a special session ofthe Assembly. The Assembly will adopt the decision it deems appropriate, including theundertaking of diplomatic initiatives, in accordance with the Charter of the Organization,international law, and the provisions of this Democratic Charter.Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1) 20 th February, 2003 7

Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1), 20 th February 2003The necessary diplomatic initiatives, including good offices, to foster the restoration ofdemocracy, will continue during the process.Article 21When the special session of the Assembly determines that there has been anunconstitutional interruption of the democratic order of a member state, and thatdiplomatic initiatives have failed, the special session shall take the decision to suspendsaid member state from the exercise of its right to participate in the AU by an affirmativevote of two thirds of the member states in accordance with the Constitutive Act of theAfrican Union . The suspension shall take effect immediately.The suspended member state shall continue to fulfill its obligations to the AU, inparticular its human rights obligations.Notwithstanding the suspension of the member state, the AUand other initiatives to restore democracy in that state.will maintain diplomaticArticle 22Once the situation that led to suspension has been resolved, any member state or theChair of the Commission may propose to the Assembly that suspension be lifted. Thisdecision shall require the vote of two thirds of the member states in accordance withConstitutive Act of the African Union. .V. Democracy and Free and Fair ElectionsArticle 23Member states are responsible for organizing, conducting, and ensuring free and fairelectoral processes.Member states, in the exercise of their sovereignty, may request that the African Unionprovide advisory services or assistance for strengthening and developing their electoralinstitutions and processes, including preliminary assessment, observation, monitoring andsupervisory, or technical assistance missions for that purpose.Article 24AU missions in support of free and fair elections shall be carried out at the request of themember state concerned. To that end, the government or appropriate agency of that stateand the Chair, or his or her deputies, of the Commission of the African Union shall enterinto an agreement establishing the scope and type of electoral mission in question inaccordance with AU guidelines. The member state shall guarantee conditions of security,free access to information, non-interference, freedom of movement and full cooperationwith the electoral mission.Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1) 20 th February, 2003 8

Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1), 20 th February 2003Electoral missions shall be carried out in accordance with the principles and norms of theAU governing democratic elections agreed in Durban, 2002. The AU shall ensure thatthese missions are effective and independent and, together with the member states, shallprovide them with the necessary resources for that purpose. Electoral missions shall beconducted in a professional, objective, impartial, and transparent manner and with theappropriate technical expertise.All electoral missions shall present a report on their activities in a timely manner to theAssembly through the Chair of the AU Commission.Article 25The electoral missions shall advise the AU Commission, if the necessary conditions andenvironment for free and fair elections as agreed in AU principles governing democraticelections have been satisfied.The AU may, with the consent of the state concerned, send special advisory missionswith a view to creating or improving said conditions.VI. Promotion of a Democratic CultureArticle 26The AU will continue to carry out programs and activities designed to promotedemocratic principles and practices and strengthen a democratic culture in Africa, bearingin mind that democracy is a way of life based on liberty, freedom of choice, freedomfrom want and fear and the enhancement of economic, social and cultural conditions forthe peoples of Africa . The AU will consult and cooperate on an ongoing basis withmember states and, where appropriate with civil society organizations working in thosefields.Article 27The objective of the programs and activities will be to promote good governance,transparent and accountable administration, democratic values, and the strengthening ofpolitical institutions and civil society organizations. Special attention shall be given to thedevelopment of programs and activities for the education of children and youth as ameans of ensuring the continuance of democratic values, including liberty and socialjustice.Article 28AU and its Member States shall create conditions for full and equal participation ofwomen in the political structures at all levels as a fundamental element in the promotionand exercise of a democratic culture.Draft African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance (version 1.1) 20 th February, 2003 9