(17.3)-recognize the need to make further peaceful efforts concerning human rights, democracy and the rule of law within the context of security and co-operation in Europe, individually and collectively, to make democratic advances irreversible and prevent any falling below the standards laid down in the principles and provisions of the Final Act, the Vienna Concluding Document, the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe and the present document.
(18) The participating States recall their commitment to the rule of law in the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting and affirm their dedication to supporting and advancing those principles of justice which form the basis of the rule of law. In particular, they again reaffirm that democracy is an inherent element in the rule of law and that pluralism is important in regard to political organizations.
(18.1) Legislation will be formulated and adopted as the result of an open process reflecting the will of the people, either directly or through their elected representatives.
(18.2) Everyone will have an effective means of redress against administrative decisions, so as to guarantee respect for fundamental rights and ensure legal integrity.
(18.3) To the same end, there will be effective means of redress against administrative regulations for individuals affected thereby.
(18.4) The participating States will endeavour to provide for judicial review of such regulations and decisions.
(19) The participating States
(19.1) will respect the internationally recognized standards that relate to the independence of judges and legal practitioners and the impartial operation of the public judicial service including, inter alia, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
(19.2)—will, in implementing the relevant standards and commitments, ensure that the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed and enshrined in the constitution or the law of the country and is respected in practice, paying particular attention to the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, which, inter alia, provide for
(i) prohibiting improper influence on judges;
(ii) preventing revision of judicial decisions by administrative authorities, except for the rights of the competent authorities to mitigate or commute sentences imposed by judges, in conformity with the law;
(iii) protecting the judiciary's freedom of expression and association, subject only to
such restrictions as are consistent with its functions;
(iv) ensuring that judges are properly qualified, trained and selected on a non-
discriminatory basis;
(v) guaranteeing tenure and appropriate conditions of service, including on the matter
of promotion of judges, where applicable;
(vi) respecting conditions of immunity;
(vii) ensuring that the disciplining, suspension and removal of judges are determined
according to law.
(20) For the promotion of the independence of the judiciary, the participating States will
(20.1)—recognize the important function national and international associations of judges and lawyers can perform in strengthening respect for the independence of their members and in providing education and training on the role of the judiciary and the legal profession in society;
(20.2)—promote and facilitate dialogue, exchanges and co-operation among national associations and other groups interested in ensuring respect for the independence of the judiciary and the protection of lawyers;
(20.3) co-operate among themselves through, inter alia, dialogue, contacts and exchanges in order to identify where problem areas exist concerning the protection of the independence of judges and legal practitioners and to develop ways and means to address. and resolve such problems;
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