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International Association for Democracy
The International Association for Democracy (IAD) is an NGO that works to defend and promote democracy around the globe.
Our second anniversary
26 February 2024, The International Association for Democracy (IAD) celebrates the second anniversary of its founding. We are a young but ambitious charity that is growing every day, developing ?teams to promote and protect democracy around the world. With your donations, we will be able to continue our work in defending and ?promoting democracy.
What do we stand for?
As a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organization (SCIO) , IAD, with the help of more than 40 volunteers, is working right now on:
And much more.
Democracy - Latest Developments
Belarus holds undemocratic elections
On the 25th of February, Belarus held its legislative elections. On that occasion, Alexander Lukashenko, ruling the country since 1994, announced that he would run again for the presidency in 2025. This would be his seventh mandate. The country is largely considered an autocracy by the international community and the exiled opposition that called to boycott the elections. The four registered parties for the elections are all in support of Lukashenko’s regime. Other parties were unable to register. This new controversial election comes during a peak in tensions between Belarus and Western countries, in the context of the war in Ukraine. For the first time since 1995, the country refused to welcome OSCE observers in charge of overseeing the legitimacy of the elections. Lukashenko even accused the West of planning a coup or an invasion against him and announced an increase in armed patrols in the country. Learn more
Difficult dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo concerning freedom of the press
After disagreements regarding the broadcasting of his decrees on television, the governor of the équateur region in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bobo Boloko Bolumbu, led a series of attacks on the freedom of the press that led to the physical assault of a journalist, Mimi Etaka, on February 5th. Several other journalists were arrested on February 13th when they protested in support of Mrs. Etaka and decided not to broadcast any of the governor’s activities. The latter established a dialogue on February 17th, which allowed for the removal of the boycott. While journalists welcomed the discussion and considered it a positive first step, they advocated for further guarantees against attacks on the freedom of the press. Learn more
Bolsonaro Rallies Support Amidst Coup
Former President Jair Bolsonaro gathered an assembly of supporters on the 25th of February to demonstrate his political might amidst an ongoing investigation against him. This comes in response to the recent actions taken against him by the police, which are investigating allegations of Bolsonaro’s links with a coup to destabilize Democracy. Topics discussed during the rally included his presidential tenure from 2019 to 2022. Presently, Bolsonaro has a plethora of accusations against him, ranging from the confiscation of his passport to allegations of tampering with electoral outcomes. He is alleged to have applied pressure on military officials to take part in the alleged coup and incited plans to incarcerate a Supreme Court Justice. Despite his list of allegations, his supporters personify loyalty as he seems to capture them with his populist rhetoric. On Sunday, Bolsonaro refuted the charges against him and played the victim card, calling for adherence to constitutional tenets. He also advocated for clemency for individuals involved in the January 8th insurrection in the Capital. Learn more
Did you know how do we measure democracy in the world?
Since 2006, the Economist group has published its Democracy ?Index in annual reports, which measures the global health of democracy. Each country is given a score between 0 and 10 determined by a questionnaire answered by experts. The Index questions gravitate around five categories: pluralism of elections, civil liberties, the functioning of the government, the political culture, and political participation. Despite criticisms around transparency, the Index remains a useful and reliable tool to assess the evolution of democracy around the globe.
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In Senegal, Sall's Departure Looms with Electoral Ambiguity
Speculations have finally ended in Senegal, with President Macky Sall declaring that his mandate will conclude on the 2nd of April. Senegal prides itself in being a stable force in the region and this news comes with certain apprehensions, as President Sall has not acknowledged a successor before the elections. The Constitutional Council has deemed the postponement of the election unlawful. The President has requested for a national discourse before a degree to schedule the elections. This is to be inclusive of the civil society, political factions, and previously excluded candidates and to commence next week. Senegal has become an idol for upholding democratic values and ideas in the region and continues to do so globally. While Senegal might witness mammoth changes, all eyes are on its Democratic Journey in 2024. Learn more
Hungary Stifles Free Speech & Democracy
The Hungarian government has made it difficult for journalists and other authorities to keep the government accountable for their actions by curbing their freedom. Victor Orban’s government intends to control the media market, further attacking Hungary’s Rule of Law and weakening Judicial independence. The Fourth pillar of democracy, the press or media is being muzzled in Hungary and there are growing calls for the EU to intervene and take appropriate measures by Article 7 of the EU Treaty. Human Rights Watch highlights the significance of Systemic oppression of the free press in Hungary and the importance of having voices of dissent. The government has systematically undermined media pluralism by taking control of regulator’s bodies. Independent and investigative journalism suffers under the current government, as several forms of threats and surveillance are employed to attack journalists. In May 2023, a European Parliament committee denounced the illegitimate deployment of spyware by the EU Government, particularly Hungary. Growing pressure from the EU might urge Hungary to improve its stand on free speech. Learn more
Long term events
Two years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine
On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, political leaders worldwide have united in reaffirming support for the Ukrainian people. Alongside UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaders from various nations, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, have made the trip to Kyiv to show their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and emphasize the importance of defending Ukraine’s democratic freedom. Amidst the conflict’s enduring impact on Ukraine and its people, the erosion of democracy in Ukraine underscores the urgent need to defend fundamental principles of governance and international law on a global scale. The Russian invasion, which marks a worrying escalation since their annexation of Crimea in 2014, signifies a new period of uncertainty as large-scale conflict has returned to the European continent. The Russo-Ukraine war has been characterized by ongoing military confrontations, territorial disputes, and human rights violations, leading to immense suffering and displacement of civilians. This protracted conflict has strained diplomatic relations, heightened geopolitical tensions, and challenged the very foundations of democracy and sovereignty.Learn more
Would you like to become our new volunteer?
If your goal is to protect and promote democracy, and you want to use or develop your knowledge in a particular field, we invite you to become one of our volunteers.
Here you can see and hear what our volunteers say about work at the International Association for Democracy. We are recruiting for various positions: Legal Advisors, Fundraising Officers, Lobbying Officers, HR Officers, Website Officers, Digital Marketing Officers, Social Media officers, etc. Visit https://www.iad.ngo/join to find out more about our vacancies and how you can apply.
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