Athens Declaration: A new “Bible” for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights
The Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe is drawing to a close. The six months that put Greece at the center of the debates on Democracy, the rule of law and protection of human rights come to a close on 18 November, leaving Greece in a strengthened position internationally.
The Greek Chairmanship of an Organization with 47 member states and 850 million people under Covid-related restrictions was a major challenge from the outset. But we converted it into an opportunity to renew the meaning of the values of the oldest European political organization, under conditions unprecedented in peacetime.
Because the pandemic tested not only our lives, but also our Democracies, as was the case 2,500 years ago during the Plague of Athens. States, institutions and economies proved as vulnerable as people.
Protection of public health necessitated restrictions of fundamental human freedoms, including the freedom to move around, work, exercise, congregate, access the judicial system, exercise voting rights. Fake news flooded the news media, judicial systems were overwhelmed, elected local officials were removed, national elections were postponed.
Six months later, it is clear that our decision to focus the Greek Chairmanship on protection of human rights in a time of pandemic has been vindicated.
During the first E-Chairmanship in the institution’s history, we made it clear that Democracy, the rule of law and human rights cannot be collateral victims of any health crisis. We made it clear that discrimination and social stigmatization of vulnerable groups is unacceptable and that everyone must have unhindered access to healthcare.
The Greek Chairmanship intends to incorporate these principles into a single text as a legacy for future generations: The Athens Declaration of 4 November, which will be signed here, in the birthplace of Democracy, this coming Wednesday, in the context of the 130th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe – which coincides with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Athens Declaration is a legal and political text that, in a global first, sets out guidelines for the protection of Democracy, the rule of law and human right in times of emergency, such as a pandemic. We want it to be an invaluable Roadmap – a new Human Rights bible – that helps coming generations respond to emergency situations.
Another legacy of the Greek Chairmanship – one that we see as equally important – is the establishment of the Observatory for the Study and Teaching of History, a vital tool for responding to the dangers of revisionism and attempts to distort historical truth.
The defence of Democracy is a constant and daily struggle. It won’t end when the pandemic ends. However, we are convinced that the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe is leaving the spirit of Democracy stronger, having raised the awareness of Europe’s citizens and of young people in particular. And this is another achievement of the Greek Chairmanship.
Because, as Thomas Jefferson said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
November 1, 2020