[Campaign] 2020, A Year of Push Back Against Democratic Regression

In solidarity with and honoring the brave human rights defenders
demanding their rights and justice,
defending the very essence of democracy through their sacrifice.

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Asia Democracy Network (ADN) is pleased to announce
the launch of our #2020PushBack Campaign calling all democracy advocates
to unite and begin fighting back against threats and attacks to democracy.

#2020YearofPushBack #2020PushBack

2020, A Year of Push Back Against Democratic Regression

In solidarity with and honoring the brave human rights defenders
demanding their rights and justice,
defending the very essence of democracy through their sacrifice.

Democratic regression, attacks on human rights, and a growing manifestation of authoritarianism and marginalization. These are the very challenges confronted by democracy advocates in 2019, not only in Asia but across the globe. Despite the awareness of this herculean task, we have only seen democracy advocates unite, organize and resist democratic collapse and authoritarian abuse. The year saw massive citizen mobilizations in 17 countries across the globe, which took the lives of around 963 martyrs of democracy and sacrificed the freedoms of thousands of imprisoned and exiled activists.

In Asia, this wave of resistance is best exemplified by the ongoing Hong Kong Protests, a movement for democratic self-governance, which started as an act of defiance against an extradition legislation which compromises not only Hong Kong’s autonomy but also the human rights of its citizens. The region also saw the seeds of democracy blossom, as the youth take the lead in the resistance against democratic regression. In Indonesia, youth marched to the streets to protest the disempowerment of the national anti-corruption watchdog; as well as in India where students and civil society have united to go against a legislation discriminating against minorities. Similar youth-led protests have taken place in Thailand and the Philippines.

The clamor and solidarity of the citizens’ resistance against undemocratic values must be amplified and sustained as we open this new decade. This year, 2020, is the year of the push back against democratic regression and human rights abuses. We must heed the call to unite against draconian laws, abuse of governmental powers, and the clampdown on democratic dissent. We must overcome fears, stand alongside this noble pursuit to awaken societies against undemocratic threats and revive the peoples’ power!

In Solidarity,
Asia Democracy Network

Please find the full statement in PDF file HERE: 2020 Year of Push Back Letter