美国国务院
民主、人权和劳工事务局
华盛顿特区
2023年3月29日
 
民主峰会宣言
 
我们，出席民主峰会的领导人，重申我们的共同信念，即民主——反映人民的有效参与和意愿的政府——是人类促进和平、繁荣、平等、可持续发展和安全的最持久的方式。必须要有民主，以确保每一个声音都被听到，所有人的人权在线上和线下都得到尊重、保护和实现，以及法治得到维护。我们认识到，民主可以采取多种形式，但它具有共同特征，其中包括具有包容性和可及性的自由和公正的选举；分权和制衡；权力的和平交接；独立的媒体和新闻从业人员的安全；透明度；信息获取权；问责制；包容性；性别平等；公民参与；法律平等保护；尊重人权，包括言论自由、和平集会和结社自由。为了应对全球范围内民主面临的日益严峻的挑战，我们致力于加强民主制度和进程，并打造民主韧性。我们认识到，通过合作可以加强自由和民主，我们承诺建立更强大的国内、区域和全球伙伴关系，更加坚定地抗击专制主义和腐败，证明民主可以为所有人带来和平、稳定和繁荣。我们相信，民主体制的发展需要时间和协同努力，对其最好的支持是建立一个包容性的社会来尊重多样性，提倡人人都有体面的工作，使每个人都能自由地追求自己的理想，行使自己的人权和基本自由，并过上没有暴力恐惧、安全不受威胁的生活。
在全球范围内，我们承诺将我们民主国家的力量付诸行动，以振兴、巩固和加强基于规则的国际秩序，为所有人提供公平、可持续的发展，并深化国际合作，加快2030年可持续发展议程（2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development）和17项可持续发展目标（Sustainable Development Goals）的进展。我们认识到，消除贫困对于加强全球民主国家的包容性和建立信心与稳定至关重要。 我们认为，尊重人权的民主体制是解决21世纪最关键挑战的最佳方式。我们继续团结一致地相互支持，努力在国内、区域和国际上加强民主，打击专制主义倾向，推动多边和多方对话与合作，并保障充分和有效地行使人权，其中包括公民和政治权利，以及逐步实现经济、社会和文化权利。我们决心保护这一代人以及子孙后代免遭战祸。为此，我们团结各民主国家的力量，确保并维护国内、区域和国际和平与安全。
我们重申，坚决支持世界各地坚持自由和民主价值的国家和人民，反对直接或间接破坏这些价值的企图或威胁。我们承认《联合国宪章》（UN Charter）的基本原则，即所有国家在其国际关系上不得使用威胁或武力侵害任何国家的领土完整或政治独立，并应通过和平手段解决国际争端。我们承认各国拥有符合《联合国宪章》第五十一条规定的单独或集体自卫的固有权利。我们强调，必须按照《联合国宪章》的原则，尽快在乌克兰实现全面、公正和持久的和平。我们谴责俄罗斯联邦对乌克兰的侵略所造成的可怕的人权和人道主义后果，包括对乌克兰各地关键基础设施的持续攻击，给平民带来的毁灭性影响，并对包括妇女和儿童在内的大量平民伤亡、需要人道主义援助的境内流离失所的家庭和难民数量以及对儿童的侵犯和虐待表示严重关切。我们对这场战争给全球粮食安全、能源、核安保和安全及环境造成的不利影响深表关切。我们要求俄罗斯立即、完全、无条件地从国际公认的乌克兰领土上撤出其所有军事力量，并呼吁停止敌对行动。我们还呼吁武装冲突各方遵守国际法，包括国际人道主义法律所规定的义务。我们还呼吁全面交换战俘，释放所有被非法羁押的人士，并遣返包括儿童在内的所有被拘押者以及被强行转移和驱逐的平民。我们强烈支持通过在国家或国际层面进行适当、公正和独立的调查和起诉，对在乌克兰境内犯下的违反国际法的最严重的罪行追究责任，确保为所有受害者伸张正义并防止未来的犯罪行为。
我们认识到，保护和加强民主社会是一个不断发展的进程，我们都将努力争取更好地采纳及实施民主原则。这样的社会有助于所有方面——经济、环境和社会——的可持续发展，并为和平奠定基础。我们，民主峰会的参与者，呼吁其他领导人加入我们的行列推动这些努力。
我们共同致力于以下事项：
第一、重申我们的承诺或义务，尊重、保护及实现《世界人权宣言》（Universal Declaration of Human Rights）在发表75周年之际以及适用的国际人权文书中所规定的人权和基本自由。我们承诺追究被指控侵犯和践踏人权者的责任。
第二、承诺尊重所有公民通过定期、自由和公正的选举选出政府的权利，选举应具包容性和透明度。我们重申，每个公民都应享有在平等基础上参与选举的有效权利和机会，不受不当限制、干预或恐吓，包括系统性歧视或边缘化。以任何方式、形态或形式对选举进行外部或内部干预或恐吓，都会损害公民选择政府和其他代表的权利。我们谴责在选举期间和选举之后使用各种形式的暴力行为，包括针对民选官员、立法者和其他履行公务和责任的公众人物进行的威胁。
第三、促进和维护法治，通过公平、有效和公正的司法系统促进所有人平等获得司法救助。我们承诺加强努力，以人为本，提供公平、包容、相关和及时的司法，维护和尊重人权。我们谴责任何企图滥用法律制度来干涉行使人权和基本自由，或阻挠对国内外侵犯和践踏人权行径追究责任的行为，包括对法官非法施加压力和影响，或提出毫无根据的刑事指控。我们承诺加强法治和司法系统，为人民创造充分参与经济和社会的机会，确保司法系统的公正、独立和可及性，提供制衡，并能问责政府、权威机构和其他利益相关方。
第四、支持文官控制军队，追究那些侵犯和践踏人权者的责任，包括非国家行为者的责任。我们要求武装冲突各方充分遵守国际人道主义法规定的义务，包括保护平民的义务，特别要考虑到处于边缘化或弱势地位的民众。我们承诺打击有罪不罚现象，促进对违反国际法的行为究责，特别是种族灭绝、战争罪行、侵略罪行和危害人类罪行，其中包括涉及性暴力和基于性别的暴力的此类罪行。我们确认，国际刑事法院作为与国家司法机关相辅相成的常设公正法庭，在推动追究违反国际法的最严重罪行方面所发挥的重要作用。
第五、尊重、保护和实现意见和言论自由的权利，将加强线上和线下的信息获取和自由流动作为建设民主社会的基本支柱，并呼吁所有国家释放所有政治犯。我们强调自由、独立、多元、包容的媒体在坚韧的民主国家中发挥的重要作用，并承诺确保新闻工作者和其他媒体工作者在线上和线下的安全。我们承诺在我们的管辖范围内调查、起诉并惩处针对新闻工作者和其他媒体工作者的暴力威胁和行为，并加强及协调在危机和冲突中对他们的保护工作。在这方面，我们认识到政府和权威机构在提供源于官方的透明及易于获取的信息以促进媒体可持续发展方面的核心促进作用。我们对虚假信息宣传活动日益增加的负面影响感到担忧，这些宣传活动通过打压参政、制造或加深对民主制度和进程的不信任以及阻碍在知情的情况下参与政治和公共事务，对民主构成威胁。我们承诺以尊重人权的方式采取适当措施，应对错误信息和虚假信息的威胁，增强抵御这些信息的能力，并承诺不从事或支持虚假信息宣传活动。我们承诺加强社会对这些威胁的抵御能力，包括通过扩大数字包容性、媒体素养教育和事实核查，以及促进文化间的了解，继续通过一切可能的方式反击专制政权所散布的损害所有社会的信息自由流动的宣传。
第六、共同防范和打击一切形式的腐败和非法资金，促进善治和廉政建设。我们将根据最全面的国际反腐败文书《联合国反腐败公约》（UNCAC）以及在联合国大会特别会议（UNGASS）2021年政治宣言中做出的承诺，重申实施反腐败措施的坚定承诺。我们还认识到经合组织的《打击国际商业交易中贿赂外国公职人员公约》以及国内、国际和区域反腐败公约、机构、组织和倡议所起的关键作用。我们认识到履行现有反腐败义务和承诺的重要性，包括有关财务透明度、反腐败培训和教育、启动和实施反贿赂改革以及打击非法资金的义务和承诺。我们重申对有效执行金融行动特别工作组建议的承诺。我们承诺维护和在现有基础上开发有效工具，以解决所有形式的腐败问题。我们重申承诺，确保反腐败机构具有必要的独立性和权限，并在必要时根据国内法律制度的基本原则加强其机构能力。我们认识到，对盗贼统治的调查，尤其是涉及公职人员腐败行为（包括贪污、贿赂、挪用公款和洗钱活动）的调查至关重要。我们强调有必要促进私营部门、公民社会、学术界和独立媒体的更广泛参与，作为预防和打击腐败和非法资金的具有包容性、涉及多方利益相关者和整体策略的一部分。我们重申，我们承诺根据国内法律框架，为识别、侦查或报告腐败相关犯罪的任何人提供有效保护，使其免遭报复或恐吓。我们认识到，有必要在资产追回和返还以及法律互助方面开展有效、高效和反应迅速的国际合作，以确保从事腐败犯罪的人对此类行为负责，不让他们享受犯罪所得，并确保按照《联合国反腐败公约》和国内法返还这些所得。我们承诺追究腐败分子的责任，并采取切实可行的措施，根据各自的国内法，不让他们有能力藏匿其非法所得，让这些非法所得进入我们各自的管辖范围和国际金融体系。
第七、尊重和维护和平集会和结社自由，将其作为线上和线下民主的重要组成部分。公民社会应该有机会和空间，在符合国际人权法的情况下开展工作，筹措资源，代表包括处于边缘化或弱势地位民众在内的社会意见并提出他们关心的问题，监督和倡导追究政府和权威机构的责任。这对于建立和维护公民与公共当局之间的信任至关重要。一个强大的、独立的、包容的和多样化的公民社会赋予社区权能，有助于善政，并让无权无势群体能够发声。我们承诺为公民社会和人权捍卫者创造一个安全、便利和有利的环境，包括根据国际人权法规定的适用义务实施国内立法。我们支持积极向上的公民意识，包括青年公民，以及民主和人权公民教育，以增加对民主生活的参与，保障公民在所有领域的政治参与及享有代表权。
第八、根据国际人权法，促进尊重人权和人人平等，打击基于任何理由的一切形式的歧视和排斥行为，包括基于性别、种族、族裔、肤色、宗教或信仰、民族或社会背景、财产、出生、本土身份、残障、性取向、性别认同和表达、妊娠、政治观点、阶级、遗传信息或年龄的多重和交叉形式的歧视，并促进包括境内流离失所者在内的所有处于边缘化或弱势个人的融入和充分、平等的参与。
第九、承诺保护和维护情况各种各样的妇女和女童的人权。妇女的权利即人权。我们承诺促进妇女全面、平等及切实地参与和领导各级政策制定和决策、各个层面的和平进程和治理，确保在法律面前平等地保护她们的所有权利。我们承诺解决性别不平等问题，包括歧视性体制结构、社会规范和性别固化偏见，以及线上和线下的性暴力和基于性别的暴力，这些问题阻碍了妇女充分、平等和切实地参与和享有人权。我们承诺按照《国际人口与发展会议行动纲领》和《北京行动纲要》及其审核会议的成果文件，促进她们的性健康和生殖健康及权利。我们应追究针对情况各种各样的妇女和女童施暴的犯罪分子的责任，政府和权威机构应采取适当措施，为所有人创造一个安全、有利和无暴力的环境。为了实现性别平等，我们需要包括男性和男孩在内的所有人承诺参与这一工作、展现团结，参与斗争和变革进程。我们承诺确保妇女平等进入劳动市场，特别是在新冠病毒疫情后返回劳动市场，同时强调妇女教育，增加妇女在技术领域的参与，努力确保同工同酬或同值同酬。
第十、通过努力尊重、促进和实现基本劳工权利，其中包括结社自由和集体谈判的权利，并通过有关措施提倡人人都有体面的工作，其中包括没有暴力、剥削和骚扰的工作场所，来塑造公平、可及、包容和安全的工作前景，提供全面的、有成效的、体面的、自由选择的就业。我们认识到，妇女、残障人士以及所有面临多重和交叉形式的歧视的人士在工作场所以及获得体面的工作方面面临着更多的障碍，并承诺着手解决这些障碍。我们承诺通过保护组建及加入独立工会和雇主组织的基本权利，并通过加强劳工法和执法，在国内和世界范围内保护并增进体面的工作和经济包容。除了同工同酬或同值同酬的原则外，我们还承诺在工作场所不进行歧视并提供公平待遇、平等机会以及人人参与，还要开展国际合作以加强发展中国家的经济韧性。
第十一、促进开放、自由、全球性、可互操作、可靠、可访问和安全的互联网，并在整个数字生态系统中保护人权，以增强世界各地人民的安全、繁荣和福祉。我们申明，包括人工智能、生物技术和量子技术等新兴技术在内的各种技术的设计、开发、维护、管理、获取、资助、销售和使用方式应当由对民主原则的承诺来塑造，这些原则包括平等、包容性、可持续性、透明度、问责制、多样性和尊重包括隐私在内的人权。所有人都应该能够获取技术提供的机会，任何人都不应当被落下，我们还认识到弥合多种形式的数字鸿沟，其中包括性别数字鸿沟，以及扩大残疾人无障碍环境的重要性。在这方面，我们承诺倡导使用无障碍数字技术实现包容的重要性，并重申一个以人为本、包容、安全以及以发展为导向的信息社会和技术生态系统的愿景。我们强调现行国际法适用于国家在网络空间的行为，并继续努力推动联合国大会（UN General Assembly）确认的负责任的网络空间国家行为框架。
第十二、申明负责任地使用数字和新兴技术有可能加强民主并打击腐败，同时尊重法治，并指出我们致力于保护民主机构和进程免受技术滥用的威胁​​。我们认识到并承诺防范网络欺凌、骚扰和虚假信息对妇女、女童和边缘化或弱势群体的言论自由以及公民和政治参与的可怕、危险的影响及其与暴力极端主义的潜在联系。
第十三、促进互联网接入，保护公民空间，促进在网上享有人权，致力于支持服务欠缺社区的信息通信技术基础设施项目，并努力防止政府施加的违反国际人权法义务的互联网中断和限制。我们还认识到确保以符合民主原则并尊重适用的人权义务和承诺的方式使用监视技术的重要性。我们强调技术平台问责制的重要性，并强调平台有责任尊重人权，符合联合国商业与人权指导原则（UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights）。我们希望技术平台采取适当的行动来预测、识别、预防及减轻与其运营直接相关的不利人权影响，并解决在其平台上发生的暴力、剥削和虐待行为。我们强调科技公司需要负责任地行事，包括对个人隐私、安全和健康提供强有力的保护，重点是加强对儿童和青少年的保护，以及与平台算法和内容审核决策相关的透明度和问责制，以及针对与使用算法相关的滥用和歧视的强有力保护，认识到处于边缘化或弱势地位的人群极有可能遭受负面后果。此外，我们强调加强地区性和全球性伙伴关系以增加协作的重要性，同时减轻新技术和新兴技术带来的风险。我们的指导方针是承诺加强多方利益相关者方针来进行互联网治理，并加强政府和权威机构之间在与数字生态系统相关的公共政策问题上的合作，以实现包容、全面、连贯和持久的解决方案。
第十四、加强我们对《联合国商业与人权指导原则》的承诺，并防范由第三方，其中包括商业企业，在我们的领土和/或管辖范围内侵犯人权的行径，通过采取适当措施预防、调查、惩处及纠正这类侵权行径，借助于有效的政策、立法、法规和裁决。我们致力于在《联合国商业与人权指导原则》的基础上，展开基于共识的多方利益相关者的努力，以加强国际合作和一致性，包括但不限于保护权利持有者、解决侵权事件并支持补救。
第十五、共同抵御跨国威胁，包括外国信息操纵和干扰，其中包括针对妇女和女童以及处于边缘或弱势地位的人群的歧视性虚假信息。我们承诺抵御外国干涉，其中包括选举、跨国有组织犯罪、腐败、全球供应链中的强迫劳动、恐怖主义以及跨国镇压，其中包括对人权捍卫者的镇压，无论发生在哪里。我们承诺加强国际合作并增强对包括联合国在内的有效力的多边体系的支持。
第十六、申明为对国与国关系施加影响而对个人任意逮捕、拘押及判刑是不可接受的、不公正的，而且是违反国际法的。我们承认《反对在国与国关系中任意拘押宣言》（Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations）并公开反对这种做法，同时认识到任何国家的公民随时都可能成为目标。
第十七、致力于共同应对最严峻的全球挑战。我们致力于将保护环境作为实现可持续发展以及推进可持续、包容及发挥职能的民主的基本要素。我们认识到，可持续发展的三个方面（社会、经济和环境）以及清洁、健康和可持续的环境有助于并能促进全面享有所有人权。污染、气候变化和环境退化，包括生物多样性的丧失及其不利影响，其中包括资源稀缺、水资源短缺和粮食不安全，对享有人权产生负面影响，并对全世界的社会、经济和政治稳定构成挑战，同时对处于边缘化或弱势地位的人口产生不成比例的严重影响。我们的合作对于减少气候变化和污染的不利影响以及通过履行应对这些挑战的全球承诺来阻止和扭转生物多样性的丧失至关重要，其中包括通过扩大相关财政资源，同时推进更具韧性和创新性以及长期变革性和包容性的治理模式，以保护清洁、健康和可持续的环境。我们承诺加强透明和有效力的民主制度，以支持全球努力推进卫生目标，其中包括建立更强大及更具韧性的卫生系统，以及为所有人增进大流行病的预防、准备和应对。我们还承诺继续努力建立、维持和资助我们预防、检测和应对新出现的新冠病毒变种以及当前和未来健康危机所需的能力，并采取更快速、透明、负责任、安全、公平及有保障的方式。国际合作对于我们创建终止新冠疫情肆虐、拯救生命并为所有人构建更好的卫生安全和卫生系统所需的体系仍然至关重要。
背书方*
 
* 表示有保留的背书或不赞同宣言以下各段落的文本
序言段落 1：波兰
序言段落3：亚美尼亚、印度、墨西哥
执行段落4：印度、以色列、菲律宾
执行段落8：保加利亚、多米尼加共和国、伊拉克、毛里塔尼亚、巴拉圭、波兰、赞比亚
执行段落9：多米尼加共和国、巴拉圭、波兰
执行段落13：印度
执行段落17：马拉维
 
欲查看原稿内容: https://www.state.gov/declaration-of-the-summit-for-democracy-2023/
 
本译文仅供参考，只有英文原稿才可以被视为权威资料来源。

Declaration of the Summit for Democracy
MARCH 29, 2023
We, the leaders of the Summit for Democracy, reaffirm our shared belief that democracy – government reflecting the effective participation and will of the people – is humanity’s most enduring means to advance peace, prosperity, equality, sustainable development, and security.  Democracy is necessary to ensure that every voice is heard, that the human rights of all are respected, protected, and fulfilled, online and offline, and that the rule of law is upheld.  We recognize that democracy can take many forms, but shares common characteristics, including free and fair elections that are inclusive and accessible; separation of powers; checks and balances; peaceful transitions of power; an independent media and safety of journalists; transparency; access to information; accountability; inclusion; gender equality; civic participation; equal protection of the law; and respect for human rights, including freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.  To meet the rising challenges to democracy worldwide, we commit to strengthen democratic institutions and processes and build resilience.  We acknowledge that freedom and democracy are strengthened through cooperation, and we commit to building stronger domestic, regional, and global partnerships that are more assertive in countering authoritarianism and corruption and that demonstrate that democracy delivers peace, stability, and prosperity for all.  We believe democratic institutions, which take time and concerted effort to develop, are best supported by an inclusive society that respects diversity, promotes decent work for all, and enables everyone to freely pursue their aspirations, exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, and live without fear of violence and threats to their safety.
Globally, we commit to put the strength of our democracies into action to revitalize, consolidate, and strengthen an international rules-based order that delivers equitable, sustainable development for all people and to deepen international cooperation to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  We acknowledge that eradicating poverty is critical to strengthening inclusivity and building confidence and stability in democracies globally.  We recognize that democracies that respect human rights are the best means by which to solve the 21st Century’s most critical challenges.  We remain united in supporting one another in our efforts to bolster democracy domestically, regionally, and internationally, combat authoritarian trends, advance multilateral and multistakeholder dialogue and cooperation, and safeguard the full and effective exercise of human rights, including civil and political rights, as well as the progressive realization of economic, social, and cultural rights.  We are determined to save the present and succeeding generations from the scourge of war.  To this end we unite the strength of our democracies to secure and maintain domestic, regional and international peace and security.
We reiterate our firm resolve to support countries and people around the world that adhere to the values of freedom and democracy, against direct or indirect attempts or threats to undermine them.  We recognize the fundamental principles of the UN Charter that all states shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state and shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means.  We recognize the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense of States consistent with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. We underscore the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter. We deplore the dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, including the continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine with devastating consequences for civilians, and express our grave concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, the number of internally displaced persons and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance, and violations and abuses committed against children. We are deeply concerned by the adverse impact of the war on global food security, energy, nuclear security and safety and the environment. We demand that Russia immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and call for a cessation of hostilities.  We also call for the parties to the armed conflict to adhere to their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.  We call also for the complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained persons and the return of all internees and of civilians forcibly transferred and deported, including children. We strongly support accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine through appropriate, fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at the national or international level, and to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.
We acknowledge that protecting and strengthening democratic societies is an ever-evolving process, and that we are all striving towards better adoption and implementation of democratic principles.  Such a society contributes to sustainable development in all its forms – economic, environmental, and social – and serves as a foundation for peace.  We, the Summit for Democracy participants, call upon other leaders to join us in these efforts.
We are jointly dedicated to:
First, reaffirm our commitments or obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights and fundamental freedoms as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on its 75th anniversary and applicable international human rights instruments.  We commit to hold accountable alleged perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses.
Second, commit to respecting the right of all citizens to elect their governments through periodic, free and fair elections, which are inclusive and transparent.  We reaffirm that every citizen should have the effective right and opportunity to participate in elections on an equal basis, without undue restrictions, interference, or intimidation, including through systemic discrimination or marginalization.  External or internal interference or intimidation in elections, in any way, shape, or form, undermines the right of citizens to select their governments and other representatives.  We deplore the use of violence in all its forms, during and beyond elections, including threats targeting elected officials, lawmakers, and other public figures who carry out official duties and responsibilities.
Third, promote and uphold the rule of law and promote equal access to justice for all through a fair, effective, and impartial justice system.  We commit to strengthen efforts that focus on people and deliver fair, inclusive, relevant, and timely justice that upholds and respects human rights.  We deplore any attempts to abuse legal systems to interfere with the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms or to obstruct accountability efforts for human rights violations and abuses, whether at home or abroad, including by unlawfully pressuring, influencing, or raising unfounded criminal charges against judges.  We commit to strengthen the rule of law and justice systems that create opportunities for people to participate fully in their economies and societies and that ensure impartial, independent, and accessible judicial systems which provide checks and balances and can hold governments, authorities, and other stakeholders accountable.
Fourth, support civilian control of the military and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, including those committed by non-state actors.  We demand that all parties to armed conflict fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law including those regarding the protection of civilians, with particular consideration of populations in marginalized or vulnerable situations.  We commit to fight against impunity and promote accountability for violations of international law, particularly genocide, war crimes, the crime of aggression and crimes against humanity, including where such crimes involve sexual and gender-based violence.  We acknowledge the important role played by the ICC as a permanent and impartial tribunal complementary to national jurisdictions in advancing accountability for the most serious crimes under international law.
Fifth, respect, protect, and fulfill the right to freedom of opinion and expression; enhance access to information and the free flow of information, both online and offline, as a fundamental pillar of building a democratic society; and call on all states to release all political prisoners.  We highlight the essential role that a free, independent, diverse, and inclusive media plays in resilient democracies, and commit to ensuring the safety of journalists and other media workers, both online and offline.  We commit to investigate, prosecute, and punish threats and acts of violence, within our jurisdictions, committed against journalists and other media workers, and to strengthen and coordinate efforts for their protection in crises and conflict.  In this regard, we recognize the central facilitating role of governments and authorities in providing transparent and easily accessible information from official sources promoting media sustainability.  We are concerned by the increasing negative impact of disinformation campaigns, which threaten democracy by suppressing political engagement, engendering or deepening distrust towards democratic institutions and processes, and hindering informed participation in political and public affairs.  We commit to take appropriate steps, in a human rights-respecting manner, to address threats from, and build resilience against, misinformation and disinformation, and to refrain from conducting or sponsoring disinformation campaigns.  We commit to strengthen the resilience of our societies against these threats, including by expanding digital inclusion, media literacy education, and fact checking, as well as fostering intercultural understanding and continuing to counter, by all possible means, the propaganda disseminated by autocratic regimes that undermines the free flow of information in all societies.
Sixth, work collectively to prevent and combat corruption and illicit finance in all their forms, promote good governance, and ensure integrity.  We reaffirm our strong commitment to implement anti-corruption measures, consistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the most comprehensive international anti-corruption instrument, as well as the commitments made in the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) of 2021 Political Declaration.  We also recognize the critical role of the OECD Convention on Combatting Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, as well as domestic, international, and regional anti-corruption conventions, bodies, institutions, and initiatives.  We acknowledge the importance of implementing existing anti-corruption obligations and commitments, including those regarding financial transparency, anti-corruption training, and education, initiating and implementing anti-bribery reforms, and countering illicit finance.  We reaffirm our commitment to the effective implementation of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations.  We commit to maintain and build upon existing and effective tools to address all forms of corruption.  We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring anti-corruption bodies have the necessary independence and competence, and, where necessary, to strengthening their institutional capacity, in accordance with the fundamental principles of domestic legal systems. We recognize that investigations of kleptocracy, particularly where such investigations involve acts of public official corruption, including embezzlement, bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and related money laundering are critical.  We stress the need to promote the wider participation of the private sector, civil society, academia, and the independent media as part of an inclusive, multistakeholder, and holistic approach to preventing and countering corruption and illicit finance.  We reaffirm our commitment to provide effective protection from retaliation or intimidation to any person who identifies, detects, or reports corruption-related offenses in accordance with domestic legal frameworks.  We recognize the need for effective, efficient, and responsive international cooperation in asset recovery and return and mutual legal assistance without undue delay, to ensure that those who engage in corruption offenses are held accountable for such conduct and are denied the enjoyment of the proceeds of their crimes, and that such proceeds are returned consistent with the UNCAC and domestic laws. We commit to hold corrupt actors accountable, and to take practical measures to deny them the ability to hide their illicit proceeds and access our respective jurisdictions and the international financial system, in accordance with respective domestic laws.
Seventh, respect and uphold the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association as essential components of democracy, both online and offline.  Civil society should have the opportunity and space, consistent with international human rights law, to operate, raise resources, represent the views and concerns of society, including persons in marginalized or vulnerable situations, and monitor and advocate to hold governments and authorities accountable.  This is essential in building and upholding trust between citizens and public authorities.  A strong, independent, inclusive, and diverse civil society empowers communities, contributes to good governance, and provides a voice to the powerless.  We commit to promote a safe, accessible, and enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders, including through the implementation of domestic legislation in compliance with applicable obligations under international human rights law.  We support active citizenship, including that of youth, and civic education on democracy and human rights to increase participation in democratic life and guarantee political participation and representation of citizens in all areas.
Eighth, promote respect for human rights and equality for all individuals and combat all forms of discrimination and exclusion on any grounds, consistent with international human rights law, including multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, color, religion or belief, national or social origin, property, birth, indigeneity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, political opinion, class, genetic information, or age, and promote inclusion and the full and equal participation of all individuals in marginalized or vulnerable situations, including internally displaced persons.
Ninth, commit to protecting and upholding the human rights of all women and girls in all their diversity.  Women’s rights are human rights.  We commit to promoting women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership in all aspects of policymaking and decision-making, peace processes, and governance at all levels, and to ensuring the equal protection of all their rights before the law.  We commit to address gender inequalities, including discriminatory structures, social norms, and gender stereotypes, and sexual and gender-based violence, both online and offline, which prevent women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation and enjoyment of human rights.  We commit to advancing their sexual and reproductive health and rights consistent with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.  The perpetrators of violence against women and girls in all their diversity should be held accountable, and governments and authorities should take appropriate measures to create a safe, enabling, and violence-free environment for all.  In order to achieve gender equality, we need the commitment of all, including men and boys, to engage, show solidarity, and participate in the struggle and process of change.  We commit to ensure equal access for women in the labor market, especially in returning after the pandemic, to emphasize the education of and increase women’s participation in technology sectors, and to strive to ensure equal pay for equal work or work of equal value.
Tenth, shape a fair, accessible, inclusive, and secure future of work with full, productive, decent, and freely chosen employment, through efforts to respect, promote, and realize fundamental labor rights, including the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, and through measures to promote decent work for all including a world of work free from violence, exploitation, and harassment.  We recognize that women, persons with disabilities, and all those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination face additional barriers in the world of work and in accessing decent work, and we commit to tackling these barriers.  We commit to protecting and advancing decent work and economic inclusion at home and around the world by protecting the fundamental rights to form and join independent trade unions and employer organizations, and through strengthened labor laws and enforcement.  We commit to nondiscrimination, equitable treatment, equal opportunity, and the participation of all in the world of work, in addition to the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value, and international cooperation to strengthen economic resilience in developing countries.
Eleventh, promote an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, accessible, and secure Internet, and protect human rights across the digital ecosystem so as to enhance the security, prosperity, and well-being of people around the world.  We affirm that the ways in which technologies, including new and emerging ones such as artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, and quantum technologies, are designed, developed, maintained, governed, acquired, funded, sold, and used should be shaped by a commitment to democratic principles including equality, inclusion, sustainability, transparency, accountability, diversity, and respect for human rights including privacy.  All people should have access to the opportunities offered by technology, with no one left behind, and we recognize the importance of bridging many forms of digital divides, including the gender digital divide, and expanding accessibility for persons with disabilities.  In this regard, we commit to champion the importance of inclusion using accessible digital technologies, and we reaffirm a vision of a human-centered, inclusive, secure, and development-oriented information society and technology ecosystem.  We underline that existing international law applies to state behavior in cyberspace and continue our efforts to promote the framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace affirmed by the UN General Assembly.
Twelfth, affirm that the responsible use of digital and emerging technologies has the potential to strengthen democracy and combat corruption, with due respect for the rule of law, and note our commitment to defending democratic institutions and processes from threats related to misuse of technology.  We recognize and commit to guarding against the chilling and dangerous effects of online abuse, harassment, and disinformation on the freedom of expression and civil and political participation of women, girls, and populations in marginalized or vulnerable situations and their potential connections to violent extremism.
Thirteenth, promote access to the Internet, protect civic space, enable the enjoyment of human rights online, commit to supporting information communications technology infrastructure projects in underserved communities, and work to prevent government-imposed Internet disruptions and restrictions online that violate international human rights law obligations.  We also recognize the importance of ensuring that surveillance technology is used in a manner consistent with democratic principles and with respect for applicable human rights obligations and commitments.  We highlight the importance of technology platform accountability and underline that platforms have a responsibility to respect human rights, consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.  We expect technology platforms to take appropriate action to anticipate, identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights impacts directly linked to their operations and address violence, exploitation, and abuses taking place on their platforms.  We underscore the need for technology companies to behave responsibly, including by enabling robust protections of individuals’ privacy, safety, and health, with a focus on even stronger protections for children and youth, transparency and accountability related to platforms’ algorithms and content moderation decisions, and strong protections against misuse and discrimination related to the use of algorithms, recognizing that populations in marginalized or vulnerable situations are disproportionately at risk to suffer negative consequences.  In addition, we stress the importance of strengthening regional and global partnerships to increase collaboration while mitigating the risks posed by new and emerging technologies.  We are guided by a commitment to a strengthened multistakeholder approach to Internet governance and more robust cooperation among governments and authorities on relevant public policies issues pertaining to digital ecosystems in order to achieve inclusive, comprehensive, coherent, and enduring solutions.
Fourteenth, reinforce our commitment to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and protect against human rights abuses, within our territories and/or jurisdictions, by third parties, including business enterprises, by taking appropriate steps to prevent, investigate, punish, and redress such abuse through effective policies, legislation, regulations, and adjudication.  We are committed to working towards consensus-based multi-stakeholder efforts that build upon the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to strengthen international cooperation and consistency, including, but not limited to, protecting rights holders, addressing instances of abuses, and supporting remedy.
Fifteenth, work together to defend against transnational threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference, which includes disinformation that is discriminatory and targets women and girls and populations in marginalized or vulnerable situations.  We commit to defend against foreign interference, including in elections; transnational organized crimes; corruption; forced labor in global supply chains; terrorism; and transnational repression, including that of human rights defenders, whatever their origin.  We commit to strengthen international cooperation and reinforce our support for an effective multilateral system, including the United Nations.
Sixteenth, affirm that arbitrarily arresting, detaining, and sentencing individuals for leverage in state-to-state relations is unacceptable, unjust, and contrary to international law.  We acknowledge the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations and speak against this practice, recognizing that citizens of any country could be targeted at any time.
Seventeenth, commit to working together to address the most critical global challenges. We are committed to protecting the environment as an essential element in achieving sustainable development and advancing sustainable, inclusive, and functional democracies.  We recognize that sustainable development, in its three dimensions (social, economic, and environmental), and a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment contributes to and promotes the full enjoyment of all human rights.  Pollution, climate change, and environmental degradation, including loss of biodiversity, and their adverse effects, which includes resource scarcity, shortage of water, and food insecurity, negatively impact the enjoyment of human rights and present a challenge to the social, economic, and political stability of societies around the world, while having a disproportionate impact on populations in marginalized or vulnerable situations.  Our cooperation is essential to reduce the adverse effects of climate change and pollution and to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by delivering on global commitments to address these challenges including by scaling up relevant financial resources while advancing more resilient, innovative, and long-term transformative and inclusive governance models that protect a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.  We commit to strengthen transparent and effective democratic institutions that can support global efforts to advance health goals, including building stronger and more resilient health systems, and advancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response for all.  We also commit to continue to work to build, sustain, and finance the capacities we need to prevent, detect, and respond to not only emerging COVID-19 variants, but also to current and future health crises in a more rapid, transparent, accountable, safe, equitable, and secure manner.  International cooperation remains essential to create the systems we need to end the COVID-19 pandemic, save lives, and build better health security and health systems for all.
* Denotes endorsement with reservations or disassociation from the text of the following paragraphs of the Declaration
Preambular Paragraph 1: Poland Preambular Paragraph 3: Armenia, India, Mexico Operative Paragraph 4: India, Israel, Philippines Operative Paragraph 8: Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, Iraq, Mauritania, Paraguay, Poland, Zambia Operative Paragraph 9: Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Poland Operative Paragraph 13: India Operative Paragraph 17: Malawi