Everyone talks about the Inter-American Democratic Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS), after President Pedro Castillo appealed to it so that the regional organization pronounces on the situation in Peru. But what is this document about?
The Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, indicated that on October 12 he received an attached note from the Peruvian president and Foreign Minister César Landa requesting the application of articles 17 and 18 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
The first article asks “assistance for the strengthening and preservation of democratic institutions”; while the second allows “visits and other steps in order to make an analysis of the situation” when “Situations occur that could affect the development of the democratic institutional political process or the legitimate exercise of power”.
The Inter-American Democratic Charter of the OAS is a kind of “democratic clause” intended to prevent any alteration or rupture of the democratic order in the member countries of the OAS. Learn more about its creation, objectives and values.
WHEN WAS THE OAS DEMOCRATIC CHARTER APPROVED?
The Inter-American Democratic Charter was approved in the OAS General Assembly on September 11, 2001in Lima, with the purpose of guaranteeing the exercise of the right to democracy in the peoples of the region, as well as the obligation of their governments to defend and promote said value.
WHAT IS THE INTER-AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER OF THE OAS?
The Democratic Charter Interamericana is an instrument of the Inter-American Human Rights System that recognizes the right of the peoples of the Americas to democracy and the obligation of their governments to promote and defend it. Article 1 clearly states that “The peoples of America have the right to democracy and their governments have the obligation to promote and defend it”.
HOW MANY CHAPTERS DOES THE OAS DEMOCRATIC CHARTER HAVE?
The Inter-American Democratic Charter has six chapters:
- Chapter I: Democracy and the inter-American system.
- Chapter II: Democracy and human rights.
- Chapter III: Democracy, integral development and fight against poverty.
- Chapter IV: Strengthening and preservation of democratic institutions.
- Chapter V: Democracy and electoral observation missions.
- Chapter VI: Promotion of democratic culture.
WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE OAS DEMOCRATIC CHARTER?
The Charter is an instrument that Its main purpose is to strengthen and preserve the democracy of the countries that make up the OAS. These are the objectives:
- Strengthen and preserve the democratic institutions of the nations of the Americas.
- Define the essential elements of democracy and its relationship to comprehensive development and the fight against poverty.
- Establish how democracy should be defended when it is under threat.
- Promote a democratic culture, as well as electoral observation missions.
WHAT ARE THE DEMOCRATIC VALUES OF THE CHARTER?
Within the values of Inter-American Democratic Charter stand out:
- Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- Periodic, free and fair elections.
- Transparency, probity and respect for social rights.
- Exercise of power based on the rule of law.
- Plural system of political parties and organizations, separation and independence of public powers.
- Elimination of all forms of discrimination.
- Right and duty of all citizens to participate in decisions related to their own development.
