Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas

Oswaldo Paya Sardinas has transformed his dream of peaceful, democratic reform in Cuba into the reality of concrete civic advocacy.

In 1997, Paya founded the Varela Project, which effectively uses nonviolent means to promote human rights. His dedication to the principles of democracy and social justice has inspired fellow citizens as well as democrats around the world.  

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Bill Clinton

President Bill Clinton’s advocacy of democracy and human rights has provided vital support to democratic movements worldwide.

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Václav Havel

As the leader and conscience of Czechoslovakia’s “velvet revolution”, Vaclav Havel has become an inspiration to those throughout the world who share his values and ideals.

As a playwright, philosopher, political prisoner and human rights activist, Havel’s peaceful but persistent struggle for democratic society came to symbolize Eastern and Central Europe’s rebellion against repression. On New Year’s Day, 1990, President Havel addressed his nation with these words:

“People, your government has returned to you!”

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Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter has received international acclaim for his activities as a former president. His efforts to support free and fair elections have enabled countries to initiate transitions to democratic governance.

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Amat Al-Aleem Alsoswa

Amat Al-Aleem Alsoswa was Yemen’s first minister for human rights and the first female cabinet member in the country’s history.

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Lorne W. Craner

Lorne Craner returned to the International Republican Institute (IRI) as president in August, 2004, following his unanimous selection by IRI’s board of directors. He has led the strengthening of IRI’s programs in countries such as China, Colombia, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey. Since 2004, IRI has broadened its work in areas such as governance, women’s participation, access for the disabled, and the use of technology in democracy promotion. IRI has also built an unprecedented level of cooperation with U.S. and foreign democracy building organizations.

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Key Documents

To aid the democracy dialogue, the Institute presents this easily accessible library of basic documents upon which democracy programs are based.

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Dissident: Oswaldo Payá and the Varela Project

In September 2002, Oswaldo Payá received NDI’s 15th Annual W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award for his courageous efforts in promoting peaceful democratic change in Cuba. NDI also created a documentary about the Varela Project, entitled “Dissident: Oswaldo Payá and the Varela Project,” which has premiered in several film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in May 2003.

Dissident

View the short film Dissident: Oswaldo Payá and the Varela Project.

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Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers

Endorsing Organizations (54) as of 2024

  • African Union (AU)
  • Arab Democracy Foundation (ADF)
  • Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL)
  • Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO)
  • Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians (CAFP)
  • The Carter Center
  • Center for Electoral Promotion and Assistance (CAPEL)
  • Committee for Open Democracy
  • Committee of the Regions of the European Union
  • Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch (CPA UK)
  • Commonwealth Secretariat
  • The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
  • Council of Europe European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission)
  • Council of the European Union
  • Democracy International (DI)
  • Democracy Reporting International (DRI)
  • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
  • Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA)
  • Election-Watch.EU
  • European Commission
  • European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)
  • European Parliament
  • European Parliament Former Members Association (FMA)
  • Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA)
  • Gender Concerns International
  • Global Democracy Initiative (GDI)
  • Inter-American Union of Electoral Organizations (UNIORE)
  • International Center of Analytical Monitoring of Political and Election Processes (ICAM)
  • International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
  • International IDEA
  • International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF)
  • Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
  • International Republican Institute (IRI)
  • League of Arab States
  • National Democratic Institute (NDI)
  • Norwegian Resource Bank for Democracy and Human Rights (NORDEM)
  • Organization of American States (OAS)
  • Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR)
  • Pacific Islands, Australia & New Zealand Electoral Administrators’ Association (PIANZEA)
  • Pacific Islands Forum
  • Pan-African Parliament
  • Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
  • Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF)
  • Sustainable Development Group International (SDGI)
  • United Nations Secretariat
  • United States Association of Former Members of Congress (USAFMC)
  • Westminster Foundation for Democracy

This list is for public information purposes and is not part of the Declaration of Principles. The Declaration and the accompanying Code of Conduct remain open for endorsement by other intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations. Notice of endorsements may be sent to the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division.

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