Civil society organisations from Croatia (CROSOL), Latvia (LAPAS) and Slovenia (SLOGA) have launched a pan-European internet campaign against the rise of illiberal democracies in Europe.

The campaign, called "More Democracy for More Europe", is a reaction to the recent illiberal trends dominant in Eastern Europe these days. The campaign aims to encourage the citizens of these countries to stay committed to human rights, liberal democracy and the rule of law.

Painting a picture of ill democracy

Graffiti artists from four countries have been asked to visualise the trends of illiberal democracy (or ill democracy) through paintings on public-facing walls in their respective countries. The result of their work can be seen in this video.

The phenomenon of illiberal democracies reduces the concept of democracy to a mere multiparty system, while at the same time attempting to suppress or institutionally marginalise all the remaining fundamental components needed for an adequate functioning of a democratic, pluralistic society. In this sense, political leaders of so-called illiberal democracies are directly attacking human rights - particularly the rights of freedom of assembly, association and freedom of expression.

Embrace democracy and rights

Critical civil society organisations, independent media as well as independent judiciaries and other institutions responsible for the protection of human rights and the functioning of democracy are all affected by illiberal government policies. This phenomenon is well known outside the EU, but in the last couple of years it has begun to spread inside the border of the EU.

With this campaign, we want to spread a counter message throughout Eastern European states. We believe that illiberal democracies are ill democracies. We also believe that Europe has to change and embrace democracy, providing stronger protections for all human rights values, from civil and political to social and economic rights. We want to live in societies where liberal rights are not marginalising socio-economic rights, and vice versa.

The idea of solidarity and democracy in Europe must live on. More democracy for more Europe!

More information about the campaign can be accessed and downloaded via this link.