Political Tolerance Discussed in Parliament

The second edition of the International Day of Democracy was commemorated at the National Assembly yesterday. Members of Parliament, international organisations, State institutions and the civil society yesterday, September 15, reflected on the ways of promoting the culture of democracy through political tolerance. This was on the occasion of the second edition of the International Day of Democracy commemorated under the theme, ??Democracy and Political Tolerance??.

The First Vice President of the National Assembly, Hon. Hilarion Etong presided at the event at the Ngoa-Ekelle Glass Palace in the presence of some members of government, Chairman of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), Dr Fonkam Azu??u Samuel, Chairman of the National Anti-corruption Commission (NACC), Paul Tessa, among other personalities. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the world organisation of parliaments, adopted the Universal Declaration on Democracy in September 1997. The Declaration affirms the principles of democracy, the elements of democratic government and the global scope of democracy. The United Nations in November 2007 acknowledged the resilience and universality of the principles of democracy by proclaiming 15 September as the International Day of Democracy. Hon. Hilarion Etong in his opening statement, said the Day was meant both to celebrate democracy and to serve as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy was forever urgent. The Inter-Parliamentary Union chose this year??s commemoration theme to highlight the importance of creating a culture of tolerance in society, and in political life in particular. Political tolerance implies freedom of expression, open dialogue and a diversity of views. The First Vice President of Cameroon??s National Assembly, therefore considered the commemoration and the chosen theme as an occasion to reflect on democracy in the country, its stakes and challenges in areas such as the free and transparent elections, responsible political parties and free media. Speaking on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, one of its executive committee members, Hon. Fotso Josephine, said only tolerance and dialogue could calm the current social tensions in the world, stating that the commemoration theme was a vibrant call for peace. After the opening ceremony, the officials visited the structures of the National Assembly in order to understand the functioning of the institution. A round table conference on the anniversary theme, ??Democracy and Political Tolerance?? also took place. University lecturers, political party, media and civil society officials presented papers at the roundtable conference.
Emmanuel KENDEMEH, CT

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