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CSCE/SEDIO.3
Representatives recalled that the mandate of the Oslo
Seminar, as set out in Annex II of the Charter of Paris, required the Seminar to provide a summing up of its discussions for
transmittal to the Council of Ministers. They took account of the participation in the Seminar of experts not representing governments, and of the fact that the contributions of these
experts were of particular value to all participants. In order to provide an adequate record of discussions, and to ensure that all views were adequately reflected, this Report, which does not purport to express any new commitments on the part of participating States, sets out the following Summary of
Discussions as a record of its work:
I
In the discussions of experts, suggestions for practical measures to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law
were set out. Experts also formulated their assessments of the political, economic, social and legal factors which influence the operation and effectiveness of democratic government and its
institutions.
In this context, it was recalled that the participating States have already accepted high standards of human rights, fundamental freedoms, pluralistic democracy based on periodic and
free elections by universal and equal suffrage, and the rule of
law. It was broadly recognized that democratic government depended on the ability of democratic institutions to function effectively. In order to do so, the structure and authority of institutions needed to be backed by informed and active public support and broadly based acceptance in the society which they serve. A democratic culture was a necessary element for the functioning of all democratic governments, and required permanent encouragement. Where a democratic tradition of long duration has not had the chance to develop, or had been interrupted, it would be necessary to develop a democratic culture, on the local, regional and national level, in order to sustain new democratic institutions. It was noted that the reciprocal relationship between international human rights norms and national practices