聯合國大會於2007年決議將9月15日定為˹國際民主日˼(International Day of Democracy),以促進和維護民主原則,並邀請所有成員國和組織以適當的方式紀念這一國際民主日,以促進民主的發展。各國應尊重及保護諸如言論自由(freedom of expression)、新聞自由(freedom of the press)、資訊自由(freedom of information)、集會及結社自由(freedom of association and of assembly)等權利。
欣逢˹國際民主日˼,駐緬甸代表處對緬甸聯邦共和國政府在過去數年來針對民主化所作的努力,表示支持與肯定。尤其在全球新冠疫情(COVID-19 pandemic)仍然嚴峻之際,緬甸政府堅持如期於11月8日舉行國會改選的決心,令人敬佩。中華民國臺灣是亞洲民主國家的典範,期待透過國際上所有民主國家共同表態,全力支持緬甸政府在嚴密的防疫措施下,不分性別、年齡、宗教、族群,落實捍衛全民言論自由及政治參與,進行一場受到全球矚目公平、安全的公正選舉。
September 15 is the International Day of Democracy resolved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to be observed globally. The UN highlights that “Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. The values of freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage are essential elements of democracy. In turn, democracy provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.” And that “states must respect and protect, among other rights, freedom of expression and of the press, freedom of information, freedom of association and of assembly.”
In observance of the International Day of Democracy, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Myanmar wishes to express its staunch support and accolade for the efforts and progress of the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the course of democratization over the past few years. The determination and political will the Myanmar Union Government demonstrates in insisting to hold the General Elections as slated for November 8 is admirable. As a model democracy in Asia, the ROC (Taiwan) joins the community of democracies across the globe in expressing its support for Myanmar’s decision to uphold the values of the freedom of speech and political participation of its people regardless of gender, age, religion and ethnicity in the upcoming democratic elections as schedule amid stringent measures against the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.