Declares that the essential elements of democracy include respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, inter alia, freedom of association and peaceful assembly and of expression and opinion, and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic free elections by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the people, as well as a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, respect for the rule of law, the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, transparency and accountability in public administration, and free, independent and pluralistic media; urges the continuation and expansion of activities carried out by the UN system, intergovernmental organizations and Member States to promote and consolidate democracy within the framework of international cooperation; requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of Member States.

Adopted 172-0-15, 74th plenary meeting

4 p.

Issued in GAOR, 59th sess., Suppl. no. 49.