-
.
- Ελληνικά
In the framework of a session of the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that concluded yesterday in Paris, MEP Mr. George Loucaides, spoke on the issue of the revised code of good practice for the conduct of referendums recently adopted by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).
Welcoming the promotion of the revised code, Mr. Loucaides pointed out that the use of referendums, as an institution of direct democracy, is legitimate, provided that certain basic conditions are met. In particular, as regards their organisation, the Cypriot MP stressed that the process should be fair, free and democratic. Consequently, he stressed, sufficient time should be allowed for the public to be properly, fully and accurately informed. He also referred to the importance of fair and impartial presentation of all positions by the media so that citizens have a full picture of the issues raised. The result of each referendum, he added, must be an authentic moment of expression of the will of the people and not a product of manipulation of society as a whole.
Mr. Loucaides also spoke about the growing instability of the Sahel zone in West Africa and the root causes that have contributed to the current, explosive situation. He said the situation in the region is linked to the neo-colonial policies of the West and the absence of a comprehensive European strategy aimed at the development of the region and the continent. In the same context, he stressed, conditions of poverty and destitution, military juntas and dictatorships over long periods of time and the seizure of national resources by privileged groups of the population who control power, as well as the constant military conflicts between warring groups have created a dramatic state of affairs for millions of people living in inhuman living conditions.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
