25.5.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 184/1
I (Resolutions, recommendations and opinions)
RESOLUTIONS
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 577TH PLENARY SESSION OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 22.3.2023-23.3.2023
Resolution of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘United for Democracy’ (2023/C 184/01)
Rapporteurs: Stefano MALLIA (MT-I) Oliver RÖPKE (AT-II) Séamus BOLAND (IE-III)
Legal basis
Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedure
Adopted at plenary
23.3.2023
Plenary session No
577
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
181/0/5
Post-pandemic recovery, democratic values, civic space, media freedom, diversity and liberal democracy are all under pressure on both sides of the EU’s borders, and they have deteriorated since the start of the war on European soil: less than 50 % of the world’s population lives in a democratic system.
As the world continues to witness the atrocious war in Ukraine and its devastating humanitarian, social and economic consequences, the EESC is launching a call to strengthen democracy and democratic values.
The extraordinary mobilisation of the EU civil society organisations offering humanitarian, logistical and medical assistance for the Ukrainian people has also shown the importance of a well-connected, efficient and vibrant civil society.
Beyond Ukraine, we also witness grassroot movements fighting for democracy in Iran, Belarus and Moldova.
Strengthening them strengthens democracies.
It is now more important than ever to invest in making democracies more resilient and better able to safeguard our fundamental rights, build longstanding peace and stability and ultimately to deliver prosperity for all.
There is no doubt that we should engage in joint reflection on new approaches to strengthening the structures for participatory democracy.
A strong, independent and diverse civil society is more important than ever as a key ingredient to ensure active citizenship and resilient democracy that can safeguard the rule of law, fundamental rights, freedom of expression and the integrity of our democratic way of life.
Democracy in the EU is intrinsically and irrevocably linked to the concepts of equality, justice, respect for human rights and non-discrimination, as stipulated in Article 2 of the TEU.