CHAIR'S STATEMENT OF THE SIXTH BALI DEMOCRACY FORUM Nusa Dua, Bali, 7-8 November 2013 I. OPENING 1. The Sixth Bali Democracy Forum (BDF VI) was held on 7 and 8 November 2013 in Bali, Indonesia. The Forum was attended by representatives of 86 participating and observer countries as well as six international organizations (the list of participants and observers appears as Annex.1). The Forum was also honored by the attendance of H.E Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia; His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam; and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor- Leste. 2. In his report, H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia said that since its inception in 2008, BDF has evolved in synergy with the transformation process taking place in the region. This transformation, he added, complements ASEAN s movement towards attaining the ASEAN Community, specifically the Political Security Community. 3. The Foreign Minister updated delegates on activities undertaken by the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD) as the implementing agency of BDF. These include dialogues, workshops, and training programs. In cooperation with universities and other institutions within the Asia-Pacific and beyond, the IPD has conducted Election Visit Programs, lectures, and academic discourses that promote democracy and good governance, and initiated the Asia-Pacific Political Leadership Program involving young political leaders from more than 15 countries. 4. The Foreign Minister highlighted IPD s efforts in support of the democratic transition in Myanmar by organizing workshops involving civil societies and government officials, including the Indonesia-Myanmar Workshop on Leadership and Political Party Reform. He pointed out that 60 participants of this Workshop were present at the Forum. Beyond the region, the IPD has also organized programs for participants from countries like Egypt and Tunisia in response to popular aspirations for democracy in those countries. 5. In his opening statement, President Yudhoyono referred to this year s theme, Consolidating Democracy in a Pluralistic Society, and said that diversity and pluralism are common features of any democracy, be it in terms of culture, ethnicity or socioeconomic standing. He cited the need to elaborate on how to address the challenges of ensuring that democracy works inclusively and accommodates various and even contentious interests. 1
6. On the basis of Indonesia s experiences, the President pointed out four important points in consolidating democracy: First, the constitutional rights of all citizens must be guaranteed. Second, the supremacy of the rule of law must always be upheld. Third, the people s participation must be promoted in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Fourth, continued inter-communal interaction must be promoted to enhance mutual understanding, tolerance and social cohesion. He also cited that Indonesia s multi-party system has allowed its people to channel their diverse ideas and interests into positive political participation. 7. The President urged participants to bring the values of democracy into their lives and to continue promoting the principles of inclusivity and the people s participation, as well as tolerance, mutual respect and goodwill. 8. His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam highlighted the growth of democracy in the ASEAN region. He pointed out that interaction among ASEAN member states stresses dialogue, confidence and consensus building in an environment that is decidedly democratic. He further stated that regardless of the variety of the stages of economic development and the political systems of its members, ASEAN has accommodated the different needs and capacities of its members as they move toward the establishment of the ASEAN Community. 9. For his part, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao underlined that the great challenge for a pluralistic society is how to consolidate democracy. Democratic consolidation, he said, requires a two-pronged approach. First, the political aspect of consolidating the state so that government institutions respond to the will of the people and provide avenues for the people s participation. Second, the social and economic aspect of national cohesion growing out of a culture of tolerance, dialogue, and sincerity in the pursuit of development and prosperity. The Prime Minister also highlighted the needs to apply democratic principles and values to relations between states. The current global system, including in the financial, trade and political fields, he said, continues to marginalize many developing and least developed countries. II. GENERAL DEBATE 10. The General Debate was co-chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. R. M. Marty M. Natalegawa; the Minister of State and of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Jose Luis Guterres; and the Minister of Courts of New Zealand, The Hon. Chester Borrows. 11. The Heads of Delegation, in the course of elaborating their respective views and experiences in democracy, highlighted the following key points: 2
i. Democracy is an ongoing process of adapting to changes within the society through the process of constant and constructive engagement with the citizens and civil society in the governance of the country. In addition, democratic consolidation is inclusive and dynamic in nature and requires the presence and strengthening of democratic institutions that allow democracy to grow and become durable. These include an accountable government, a free press, the rule of law, equal rights for men and women, capable parliaments, responsible political parties, effective electoral bodies, and conditions in which human rights such as freedom of expression and assembly can flourish. ii. Although challenges such as economic crises are always present which may endanger democracy, history has shown that the evolving characteristic of democracy provides comparative advantage for countries to adapt themselves in overcoming economic crises. That is why there is no reason that those challenges make us lose faith in democracy. iii. There is a strong linkage between promotion of democracy and peace and stability. When various socio-political divides are played up, peace can be disrupted and democratic institutions challenged. Some democracies can falter under the pressure of social conflict arising out of segregation and discrimination. Therefore, success in consolidating democracy depends on how we work to foster social harmony in our pluralistic society and how we ensure the rights and interests of different groups. Building a harmonious society can be achieved by resolving contradictions through persuasion, education, and providing an effective conflict-resolution mechanism. iv. Democracy is universal in nature, adaptable, and compatible with local values. It should be recognized that every country is unique with its own specific culture and history. Therefore, different democracies develop at different speeds. Since there is no single model for democracy, all countries should respect one another s democratic system. v. Integrating the universal values of democracy with the national realities of each country is vital to the consolidation of democracy in a pluralistic society. If we strengthen democratic institutions and if we hold firm to the basic tenets of democracy by listening to the voices of the unheard, democracy can flourish. We also understand that managing diversity is not possible unless we respect the rights of minority groups. vi. The respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as supremacy of law is essential to democracy. Freedom and dignity of all citizens are among the basic foundations of democracy. Therefore, there is an important linkage between the rule 3
of law and the sustainability of democratic practice. Democracy cannot be separated from good governance. vii. The democratic process should start with inclusivity and ensure equal participation of all, particularly those who are marginalized and vulnerable. All the people including the minorities and vulnerable groups such as women, the disabled and the aged should enjoy freedom of expression and the right to participate in decision making. viii. The political system should be tailored to safeguarding the interests of minority groups, including women and youths, to ensure their adequate representation. ix. The effective exercise of the right to vote is essential to full participation in a free and democratic society. Free and fair elections should be held regularly. x. Democracy promotes moderation, tolerance, and amity for peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic society. Diversity should not be seen as a threat to the integrity of the nation. Instead, it should be valued and celebrated. xi. There is a growing recognition of social media as an important contemporary tool for promoting inclusiveness and participation in a democratic society. In the digital age, social media play a crucial role in consolidating democracy through its power to connect people and enable them to hold governments into account. Social media empower people, give everyone a distinctive voice, provide informal and alternative access to decision making process, and enable divergent views to be aired to a global audience. xii. International cooperation also plays an important role in supporting the process of consolidating democracy in countries undergoing political transition. xiii. In a country with a multiparty system, among the challenges faced by democracy are money politics where people s sovereignty is hijacked by the power of money and the election into office of corrupt politicians. xiv. Building strong democratic institutions by which democratic practices are exercised is crucial to consolidating democracy. Especially important is a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. III. INTERACTIVE SESSIONS 12. Conducting Free and Fair Elections 4
i. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, H.E. Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan served as panelists in the Interactive Session I on Conducting Free and Fair Elections. Chairman of the Elections Organizers Ethics Council of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie facilitated this session. The session discussed two main issues, namely the importance of free and fair election process in building trust and peace in a pluralistic society, and the role of electoral managing body and inclusive electoral law in ensuring peaceful and accountable election as a way of creating a sustainable democracy. ii. The discussion underlines the importance of ensuring the integrity of election as a catalyst for an effective government. In this regard, some elements that are important to ensure free and fair elections are identified, including the existence of adequate constitutional frameworks, the guarantee of freedom of association, freedom of the press, information technology, international cooperation, including program of electoral observers. 13. Building and Strengthening Democratic Institutions. i. The panelists for the interactive session II was The Hon. Julie Bishop, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia and The Hon. Secretary Edwin Lacierda, the Presidential Spokesperson and Member of the Cabinet Office of the Republic of the Philippines. Prof. Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, the Deputy Secretary to the Vice President for Political Affairs and Board of Advisor of Institute for Peace and Democracy, served as facilitator. The session discussed how building and strengthening democratic institutions can serve as a mean to consolidate democracy in the pluralistic society. ii. The discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening the primary democratic institutions, namely the parliament, the judiciary system, free media, civil society, and political parties. At the same time, a fair and free election should also be accompanied by improving transparency and accountability, enforcing the judiciary system, reforming the corrupt bureaucracy, and empowering checks and balances system. IV. FUTURE DIRECTION 14. The participants expressed confidence in the continuing relevance of the Bali Democracy Forum and its value as the only inter-governmental forum in the Asia Pacific region for the exchange of experiences and best practices in good 5
governance as well as cooperation in the promotion of democracy and democratic principles and values. 15. The participants suggested that the forum more intensively address global political, economic, and social challenges that stand in the way of the delivery of good governance and the fulfillment of the democratic aspirations of peoples. 16. In response, the government of Indonesia committed itself to maintaining the Bali Democracy Forum and ensuring the continuity of the programs and projects of its implementing arm, the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD). V. CLOSING 17. Participating countries expressed their appreciation of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for organizing the BDF VI as it provided an opportunity for exchange of views and experiences as well as for identifying challenges that states have to overcome. 18. They affirmed that the increasing number of participating countries and international organizations attested to the region s great interest in promoting democratic values. This reflected a high degree of confidence among countries in the region and beyond in the Forum. 19. The Forum acknowledged the importance of the convening of the Bali Media Forum, which was held in conjunction with BDF VI, by the Indonesian Press Council. The Bali Media Forum, which this year celebrated its fifth anniversary, discussed the theme: Ethics, journalism, and democracy: taking the hate out of media and politics. Bali, 8 November 2013 6