‘There is no better way forward than through strengthening democratic solidarity and multilateral action to ensure that all human rights are promoted and protected’ – stressed SG Thomas E. Garrett speaking at the Fourth session of the UN Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The SG delivered remarks at Panel 1 of the session: Learning through adversity: mapping pandemic-related democratic erosion. (Please find full remarks below).

On the margins of the session, the CoD held a side event on: Civil society: Key to building stronger democracies post-pandemic, which discussed the key role played by civil society in building stronger democracies post-pandemic, looking at both challenges and opportunities, and sharing good practices from representatives of civil society.