Message on the International Day of Democracy

国际民主日致辞

UN Secretary General  António Guterres

联合国秘书长 安东尼奥·古特雷斯

15 September 2017

2017年9月15日

The International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to recommit to a world defined by values enshrined in the United Nations Charter: peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity. Yet in many societies around the world, there is a crisis of faith. Globalization and technological progress have lifted many out of poverty, but have also contributed to inequality and instability. There is a growing and deepening divide among people, as well as between people and the political establishments that exist to represent them. Fear is driving too many decisions. This is a danger to democracy.

国际民主日是一个重新作出承诺的机会，即按照《联合国宪章》所体现的既定价值观，建立一个“和平、正义、尊重、人权、容忍和团结”的世界。然而，世界各地许多社会都出现了信仰危机。全球化和技术进步使许多人摆脱了贫困，但也助长了不平等和不稳定。人民之间以及人民与代表他们的政治机构之间的鸿沟越来越大，越来越深。人们受恐惧驱使做出许多决定。这是对民主的威胁。

It is time to reconstruct relations between people and leaders – national and international. It is time for leaders to listen and show that they care, about their own people and about the global stability and solidarity on which we all depend. And it is time for the entire international community to address one of its most severe shortcomings: our inability to prevent crises.

现在到了重新构建人民与领袖之间（即国家和国际）关系的时候。现在到了领袖们倾听本国人民疾苦,倾听我们所依赖的全球稳定和团结呼声并展示对此重视时候。整个国际社会现在应该克服其最严重的缺陷之一：即我们缺乏防止危机的能力。

To work credibly for prevention, we need to better support countries in their efforts to strengthen their democratic institutions and make their societies more resilient. In some countries, a dangerous illusion has taken hold that democracy is in contradiction to stability or conflict prevention.

为了可靠开展预防工作，我们需要更好地支持各国努力加强自身民主体制，使各国社会具有更强大的复原力。一些国家抱有危险的幻想，认为民主与稳定或预防冲突格格不入。

Quite the contrary: by destroying democratic institutions, by suppressing civil society, by undermining the rule of law and human rights, authoritarian rule creates conditions for extremist ideologies and terrorist activities to thrive. It prevents societies from developing peaceful channels and effective instruments for the resolution of grievances and other challenges.

恰恰相反，独裁统治破坏民主体制，压制民间社会，削弱法治和人权，从而为极端主义意识形态和恐怖活动的泛滥创了造条件。独裁统治使得化解不满情绪和克服其他挑战的和平渠道和有效手段无法建立。

By the same token, toppling a dictator, or holding elections in a post-conflict situation, does not mean democracy will flourish by itself. It requires leadership, in ensuring that emerging and developing democracies are supported, so they can succeed. It requires strengthening civil society, empowering women and upholding the rule of law.

同样，推翻独裁者或冲突后局势中举行选举也不意味着民主会自行茁壮成长。民主需要领导力，确保支持新兴和发展中民主国家，从而使它们能够取得成功。民主需要加强民间社会，增强妇女权能和维护法治。

These are the conditions that allow democracy, stability and peace to prevail. On this Day, let us dedicate ourselves to those values enshrined in the UN Charter – without double standards, with full commitment, and with full transparency.

这些都是使民主、稳定与和平得以普遍实现的条件。值此国际民主日之际，让我们不带双重标准，抱有充分决心并完全透明地致力于实现《联合国宪章》所体现的价值观。

（编辑：杨昱芳美孜）