Purpose of the mandate
The aspirations of all peoples for an international order are based on the principles enshrined in the Charter. This includes promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, peace, democracy, justice, equality, the rule of law, pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity.
As a result, a democratic and equitable international order means all peoples:
- have the rights to peace, international solidarity, development and self-determination;
- exercise effective sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources;
- freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development;
- have equal opportunity to participate meaningfully in regional and international decision-making; and
- have a shared responsibility to address threats to international peace and security.
A democratic and equitable international order fosters the full realization of all human rights for all, and everyone is entitled to it.
About the mandate
On 29 September 2011, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 18/6 on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. Resolution 18/6 established the mandate of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order for an initial period of three years. Since then, the mandate has been extended three times, on 25 September 2014 (A/HRC/RES/27/9), on 28 September 2017 (A/HRC/RES/36/4) and on 6 October 2020 (A/HRC/RES/45/4), for three years each.
The Human Rights Council has further renewed its commitment to the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order by adopting resolutions
21/9,
25/15,
30/29,
33/3,
36/4,
39/4,
42/8 and
45/4.
Read more about the mandate.
Current mandate holder
Livingstone Sewanyana is the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), a Ugandan civil society organization. He is a lawyer by profession and advocate of the High Court of Uganda. Mr. Sewanyana has written and published widely on human rights, corporate governance, public sector management and access to justice. He has received several awards for his scholarly and professional work.
Read Mr. Sewanyana’s full biography.
Latest thematic reports
Interplay between the economic policies and safeguards of international financial institutions and good governance at the local level (2020): through the various policies they pursue and the safeguards they have put in place to manage the related impacts and risks associated with investment lending, IFIs have a direct influence on how good governance is realized at the local level. This report looks at the issues of 1) stakeholder engagement and issues of public participation, transparency and reprisals; 2) State responsiveness to the needs of the population and retrogressive measures; and 3) the fight against corruption.
View report page | View documents
A/HRC/45/28 and
A/75/206
Public participation and decision-making processes in global governance spaces (2019): Intergovernmental, multisectoral and private groupings, such as the G7, G20 and BRICS, remain largely inaccessible to the public, in particular to those whose lives and livelihoods are affected by the decisions taken, contributing to a democratic deficit in the global decision-making process. This report examines how groups have an obligation to make decisions in accordance with the basic principles of democratic governance: transparency, inclusivity, responsiveness and accountability.
View report page | View documents
A/HRC/42/48 and
A/74/245
Vision and priorities of current Independent Expert: In 2018, the Independent Expert presented this report in which he proposes thematic priorities to be addressed over the course of his tenure. He also seeks input on highlighted topics, identifies stakeholders with whom he plans to cooperate and outlines his intended methods of work.
View report page | View document
A/HRC/39/47
Latest country reports
Visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (26 November to 4 December) and Ecuador (4 to 9 December 2017)
View document
A/HRC/39/47/Add.1
