RAWALPINDI, Nov 9: The United Nations has declared that all its member states will observe on September 15, 2008, the ‘International Day of Democracy’ to promote democratisation, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the world.

The declaration came through a consensus resolution adopted at a session of the UN General Assembly, which called upon all member states to observe the day as an annual feature.

The resolution has come at a time when efforts to establish real democracy in Pakistan have received a setback following imposition of the state of emergency in Pakistan.

The consensus resolution recognised that 2008 marked the twentieth anniversary of the first International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, which would offer a special opportunity to focus on the promotion and consolidation of democracy at all levels.

It reaffirmed that democracy was a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.