Sec. Clinton: Freedom of Association Critical to Democratization

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made important remarks on civil society, freedom of association, and democracy promotion at the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Community of Democracies in Poland this weekend. Clinton identified three essential “legs” of the stool supporting a free nation: representative government, a well-functioning market, and civil society, stating that these three pillars “lift and support nations as they reach for higher standards of progress and prosperity.” Calling Poland a “case study” in “how a vibrant civil society can produce progress” in a previously non-democratic nation, Clinton called for progress in the Middle East and in Egypt specifically on the issue of freedom of association. Commenting that in many countries, “the walls are closing in on civic organizations,” she added:

“The Middle East and North Africa are home to a diverse collection of civil society groups. But too many governments in the region still resort to intimidation, questionable legal practices, restrictions on NGO registration, efforts to silence bloggers. I hope we will see progress on this issue, and especially in Egypt, where that country’s vibrant civil society has often been subjected to government pressure in the form of canceled conferences, harassing phone calls, frequent reminders that the government can close organizations down, even detention and long-term imprisonment and exile.”

Clinton suggested that nations in the region that hold elections, but do not accept pluralism, opposition, and other key aspects of a democratic society, cannot be considered true democracies. In light of the challenges posed by repressive states worldwide, Clinton pledged that the United States will work with the Community of Democracies to develop initiatives in support of civil society. In that regard, she proposed that international efforts should include four elements: the Community of Democracies should establish an objective, independent mechanism to monitor repression of NGOs; the UN Human Rights Council should give specific attention to freedom of association as a human right; the Community of Democracies and the U.S. should work with regional and other organizations to take stronger action in defense of freedom of association; and finally, the international bodies involved should coordinate their diplomatic pressures to achieve results. Clinton also announced the creation of a new fund to support the work of NGOs, to which the U.S. intends to contribute $2 million.

Affirming the administration’s commitment to the matter, Clinton concluded, “We will continue raising democracy and human rights issues at the highest levels in our contacts with foreign governments.” President Obama issued parallel statements on the occasion, voicing the United States’ concern about “the spread of restrictions on civil society, the growing use of law to curb rather than enhance freedom, and widespread corruption that is undermining the faith of citizens in their governments,” and calling for enhanced partnership with the Community of Democracies to address these issues.