Address by Anas Kishmariya on the International Day of Democracy
15 September 2023
Today, many countries with a democratic doctrine have a holiday: September 15 is the date indicating the globalization of values such as such as the supremacy of human rights and freedoms, equality of all before the law and political pluralism. September 15 is the International Day of Democracy, which was established by a resolution
of the UN General Assembly in 2007.
In the light of international developments over the past century, democracy has modernized and taken root as a prerequisite for the fruitful functioning of civil society and the rule of law. The 1997 Universal Declaration on Democracy calls on governments and parliaments around the world to be guided by its principles.
Today, the evolutionary approach requires the existence of a stable democratic climate and culture, which would be constantly reinforced through education and information. Raising peoples legal awareness through education is the
key to the further formation of a democratic society with an active civic position.
It should be noted that the centuries-long history of the Abkhazian people testifies to the high level of democracy of society at the early stages: the absence of serfdom, a bright class division among the population, the collective resolution of the most important issues eventually led to the consolidation of the democratic doctrine in the Constitution of the country as the main one. Turning to the origins, we can also see that the most important decisions for the Abkhazian people were often made with the participation of the people, which undoubtedly speaks of a developed culture of world governance. Holding of national assemblies in the historical places of Lykhnashta and Mykuashta was significant and was reflected in article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia.: "All people have the right to unite, hold peaceful meetings, assemblies, marches and demonstrations." The foundations of the constitutional system explicitly state that Abkhazia is a sovereign, democratic, legal state, historically established by the right of the people to free self- determination.
We hope that the Republic of Abkhazia will continue along the historically defined democratic path to achieve the rule of law and ensure human and civil rights and freedoms.
of the UN General Assembly in 2007.
In the light of international developments over the past century, democracy has modernized and taken root as a prerequisite for the fruitful functioning of civil society and the rule of law. The 1997 Universal Declaration on Democracy calls on governments and parliaments around the world to be guided by its principles.
Today, the evolutionary approach requires the existence of a stable democratic climate and culture, which would be constantly reinforced through education and information. Raising peoples legal awareness through education is the
key to the further formation of a democratic society with an active civic position.
It should be noted that the centuries-long history of the Abkhazian people testifies to the high level of democracy of society at the early stages: the absence of serfdom, a bright class division among the population, the collective resolution of the most important issues eventually led to the consolidation of the democratic doctrine in the Constitution of the country as the main one. Turning to the origins, we can also see that the most important decisions for the Abkhazian people were often made with the participation of the people, which undoubtedly speaks of a developed culture of world governance. Holding of national assemblies in the historical places of Lykhnashta and Mykuashta was significant and was reflected in article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia.: "All people have the right to unite, hold peaceful meetings, assemblies, marches and demonstrations." The foundations of the constitutional system explicitly state that Abkhazia is a sovereign, democratic, legal state, historically established by the right of the people to free self- determination.
We hope that the Republic of Abkhazia will continue along the historically defined democratic path to achieve the rule of law and ensure human and civil rights and freedoms.