9:45 – 10:35 — Panel I – Civil Society as a pillar of democracy in the EU and beyond

How can the mainstreaming of human rights reinforce democratic values? Could you share an example drawing from the work of the UN Human Rights Office in Europe?

Mainstreaming human rights — the systematic integration of human-rights standards and principles into all laws, policies, and institutions — plays a central role in reinforcing and deepening democratic values. Human rights should not be treated as an isolated policy area but become part of the everyday functioning of government and public life. In fact, human rights and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.

Firstly, as to the standards, democracy relies on the protection of rights such as the right to participate in public affairs, freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of association or the right to peaceful assembly. These rights enable citizens to speak, organize, access information, and participate meaningfully in democratic governance.

Secondly, applying human rights principles like non-discrimination, participation, transparency and accountability are vital to democratic legitimacy: