Organization of American States General Assembly 2005

Fort Lauderdale OAS General Assembly: Delivering the Benefits of Democracy

Delivering the benefits of democracy is a dramatic challenge indeed. And the OAS has an essential role to play — a role that is defined by the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The Democratic Charter must become the core of a principled, effective multilateralism for the Americas. Together, we must insist that leaders who are elected democratically have a responsibility to govern democratically. And as Secretary General Insulza has rightly declared, governments that fail to meet this crucial standard must be accountable to the OAS.
-- Secretary Condoleezza Rice; XXXV Regular Session, OAS General Assembly, June 5, 2005; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Declaration of Florida

• The Declaration of Florida underscores the OAS Secretary General’s ability to raise with the OAS Permanent Council situations that might lead to action under the provisions of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and provides him with a mandate to develop timely and effective proposals for promoting and defending democracy. The Declaration opens the doors of the OAS wider to civil society groups so that they can more effectively participate in promoting democracy in the region. The Declaration provides a mandate for the OAS Permanent Council to maintain an ongoing assessment of democracy in the Americas and to play a more active role in strengthening representative democracy and good governance in the hemisphere.

Promoting Democratic Governance

• Promoting democracy, we worked closely with our partners in the region for a strong resolution that favors a more effective and proactive OAS that will better support democracy and development throughout the Hemisphere. This resolution, supporting effective compliance with the Inter-American Democratic Charter, provides the impetus for continuing development of a vibrant, multinational institution that can grow with the needs of the region and its member states.

Securing Development

• Addressing the scourge of poverty, we are convoking a Special Meeting to channel the efforts of all Inter-American agencies into a coordinated, strategic plan for economic growth and development that will provide for improvements in education, health, and gender equity, and public/private partnerships.

Promoting Democracy – Cuba

• The General Assembly has strongly stated in the Declaration of Florida that the Inter-American Democratic Charter is the standard and the key element that all states of the hemisphere must follow in order to fully participate in the inter-American system. As the only member state that currently does not fully participate in the OAS, this language firmly establishes that Cuba’s reintegration into the inter-American system is dependent on its adherence to the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Enhancing Hemispheric Security

• Enhancing hemispheric security, several resolutions were adopted protecting the region’s citizens and air travel from the threat of Man-Portable-Air-Defense-Systems (MANPADS), and bolstered security instruments, making them more effective in addressing the acquisition and trafficking of arms.

Protecting Human Rights

• The U.S.-nominee, Paolo Carozza, was elected to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Mr. Carozza, a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, is an expert on international human rights law and Latin American legal systems.