Public Participation Compliance

The publication outlines the key international human rights instruments which establish the right to participate in the conduct of public affairs. The publication places a focus on the obligations of states having ratified international instruments providing for the right to participation.

In the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights article 25 concern this right. The article provide the right to stand for election and to vote and it is well establish what exact responsibilities and measures the state should take in order to ensure free and fair elections.

It is argued that the right to participate is to be understood in the broad sense to also include political decisions reached between election periods. Different types of consultations can be initiated in relation to various types of new legislation, but also decisions which e.g. directly affect specific individual and groups. Finally, freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association are outlined as conditioning effective public participation and the text goes into how these 'composite' rights should be effectively provided for by the state.