[06 March 2004] Sana’a Declaration is a Platform for Building Democracy.
By Thuraya Dammaj .

The representative of the United Nations to Sana’a Inter- governmental Regional Conference on Democracy Human Rights and the Role of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Danilo Turk said : the outcomes of the conference have been fruitful and will be a new platform for the region’s Countries .

The Yemen News Agency (Saba) given an exclusive interview with Mr. Danilo .
Here is the text.
SABA: What’s your opinion about the conference ?

Danilo: This is an important conference . The idea of democracy was very much discussed . It was a living discussion including the issues that we are all interested in.

Governments and civil society organizations expressed their commitments to democracy and human rights principles. All participants are keen to move their societies towards meaningful democracy and participation in political life.

SABA: What are the horizons of changing the region?
Danilo: The application of democracy can be possible only If the countries really have democracy environment .

Democracy is never ending process.Democracy is something that has to be cultivated.
I think a conference like this shows that there is a good base of democracy which has already established in Yemen and the region.It could be developed further.

SABA: What may the conference add to Yemen?
Danilo: That is for government of Yemen , Political parties and civil society to work out . This is not for UN official to say there will be a real democracy in Yemen. This refers to the people in Yemen to say what this conference brings.

But my general impression is that stronger participation of women’s is the important element.I have been listening to discussions in the working group of civil society and parliament delegations.

I heard a very strong support for the idea of quota relating to women’s representation . So women would have a number of seats in Parliament. That’s a very interesting idea which women may support it very loudly.

SABA: What’s your comment about Sana’a declaration?
Danilo: I think Sana’a declaration is a very useful document which will strengthen the idea of democracy and human rights in the Arab world .
I also hope that will be used as a platform for building democracy and promoting human rights . As we listened in Amr Mussa speech about his idea that Sana’a declaration will be a platform which can help the region’s countries to enhance democratization process.
SABA