Analysis and Policy

The European Union’s support for democracy building in South Asia: an overview

Excerpt from the regional chapter

This chapter examines the main challenges for democracy building in South Asia, and how the European Union’s (EU) role is perceived. Policy proposals and recommendations for consideration by the EU are presented with a view to addressing the gap between policy intentions and South Asian perceptions of the EU’s ambitions in promoting democracy building. The chapter is based on consultations and research on the EU’s role in democracy building in South Asia conducted by International IDEA during 2008 and 2009. Despite the difficulties in democracy building faced by countries in South Asia, the region has done comparatively well (see e.g. the 2009 Freedom House Annual Report). In addition to the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh and Nepal, three other countries have also moved in a positive direction.

The role of the international community in bringing political change to South Asia has been largely limited to the smaller countries of the region. The EU evokes mixed feelings in South Asia. Some ask whether it speaks with a collective voice, or only reflects the cacophony of its 27 member states. Even if it does in fact have a collective voice, others ask if it has the capacity to intervene in a meaningful way to contribute to the sustainability of democratic institutions. Observers in the region note that the EU is not usually consistent in supporting democratic countries and that it frequently backs countries that lack democratic institutions for reasons related to its own convenience.

The EU has preferred to take a ‘bottom-up’ approach to promoting democracy and human rights in South Asia by dealing with civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which are the main recipients of assistance from the European Commission. Although the role of civil society is increasing in the region, there is an ongoing debate among scholars and policymakers about the kind of role it can play.

The recommendations from this process in South Asia strongly endorse the Development in Democracy model, the main premise being to empower the people of the region and make political leaders and institutions more accountable to the people. The recommendations are grouped in three categories: those common to all the countries of the region; those that are country-specific; and those steps that may be taken by the EU to strengthen democracy building through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process. It has also been suggested that, while building on the seminal work based on the SAARC Social Charter, all these activities should happen in parallel with a comprehensive programme to develop a Bill of Rights and Obligations for democracies in South Asia, preferably through a South Asian Democratic Charter. The EU could play a significant role in this effort by bringing together experts and stakeholders in the region to chalk out a programme on how the Bill might be drafted and eventually adopted.