Democratic lawmaking is vital to prevent backsliding and create resilient democracies, leading OSCE officials say

VIENNA, 16 March 2026 – Democratic lawmaking is essential to the resilience of our democracies and therefore to our common security, leading OSCE officials said as a two-day conference began today to discuss how inclusive and transparent lawmaking improves the quality and legitimacy of legislation and helps counter democratic backsliding.

Almost 450 participants from across the OSCE region registered for the meeting in Vienna, which brings together representatives of OSCE states, international organizations, and civil society for a detailed discussion of how democratic lawmaking strengthens the resilience of societies, reaffirming that open, inclusive and transparent legislative processes are central to the implementation of OSCE commitments. 

“At a time when democratic backsliding is accelerating globally, it is more important than ever to safeguard inclusive and democratic lawmaking,” underlined Swiss Ambassador Raphael Nägeli, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, in his opening remarks. “When legislation is developed through open consultation, strong parliamentary scrutiny and the participation of civil society, it becomes more legitimate, more resilient and better able to respond to the challenges our societies face today. For Switzerland, democracy is not an abstract preference but part of our political identity. Throughout our history, democratic institutions and processes have enabled us to manage profound cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, helping us to find compromise while allowing room for disagreement without disintegration.” 

Transparent and inclusive lawmaking processes help address the growing challenges to democratic governance across the OSCE region. Where laws are adopted through formally lawful procedures but via fast-tracked processes, with limited public participation, weak parliamentary scrutiny, and no independent oversight, this risks undermining democratic safeguards and human rights protection. In its Guidelines on Democratic Lawmaking for Better Laws, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) notes that all OSCE participating States have committed to respecting democratic principles and the rule of law as critical elements for lasting peace and stability, and that these commitments should also be reflected in their lawmaking.

“Good lawmaking is a cornerstone of a strong democracy, and vital to reinforce public trust in institutions, reduce polarization and strengthen institutional accountability,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “The way laws are made matters as well as the laws themselves. At a time when states across the OSCE region face numerous challenges, a genuine commitment to ensuring that legislation reflects democratic principles and upholds the rule of law is more important than ever.”

Participants at this week’s conference will explore the critical role of cooperation and dialogue between all those involved in the legislative process. They will also discuss safeguards governing emergency laws and procedures, to ensure that stated or real urgency does not come at the expense of democratic standards or the human rights compliance of legislation.

All OSCE states have recognized that democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law are the foundation of lasting security. In Moscow in 1991, they also acknowledged that laws should be adopted through open, inclusive, and transparent processes reflecting the will of the people.

Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings provide a platform for OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions, international organizations and civil society to exchange views and share good practices in order to find common solutions for the challenges facing societies across the OSCE region. Today’s event is the first SHDM of 2026, with two more planned for this year.