This book is a practical resource covering standards, rules, and other criteria that apply to elections around the world. The book is designed to help attorneys (and others observing or otherwise participating in the electoral process) understand the general standards and theoretical complexities of the field. Each author presents core principles to explain electoral processes and examines democratic elections in a broader political context. This comprehensive resource will help unite theory and practice.

Since the end of the Cold War a plentitude of books and articles have been published on the subject of democracy and international law. During this same period numerous international treaties, declarations, resolutions and policy papers have been adopted. International Democracy Documents brings together the most important universal documents as well as those from Africa, the Americas, the Arab Region, Asia and Europe. The Editors provide a comprehensive General Introduction to the collection, and contextually introduce each chapter. The volume fills a gap in the literature and contributes to the advancement of the study of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. "À n’en pas douter, ce copieux inventaire constituera un outil fort utile, et en tout cas un excellent point de départ, pour celui ou celle qui s’intéresse à la notion de démocratie en droit international. Puisse cet ouvrage contribuer, comme c’est le vœu de ses auteurs (p. 35), à faciliter la recherche, le développement et le renforcement des standards et valeurs démocratiques au plan international..." : Laurent Weyers, Revue Belge de droit international, No. 2014/2 "It is no exaggeration to recommend that every library in the “Third World’s” law schools should have this volume on their shelves." : Pranoto Iskandar, in: Indonesian Journal of International & Comparative Law (IJICL) Volume III Issue 4 (October 2016), p. 799-806

How can international human rights standards - in the civil and political sphere and in respect of economic, social and cultural rights - provide clear guidance for political change? This collection offers the reader an exposition and critical analysis of the agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation from the perspective of international human rights law. Covered topics include - the relevance and influence of international law on the peace-making process, - the strengths and weaknesses of the agreements and the extent to which they lay the foundation for the realization of Palestinian self-determination and the development of a democratic and civil society, - the status and obligations of both the State of Israel and the emerging Palestinian Authority in respect of the Occupied Territories, and - the continuing role of international actors and non-governmental organisations in promoting respect for human rights during a period of dramatic transition. The position of Palestinian women and the operation of international human rights standards as mechanisms for political change receive particular attention. Scholars concerned with the Middle East and anyone interested in the promotion and protection of human rights in post-conflict situations will appreciate this unique and challenging collection.

2.2.1 Role of the media

This work explores the contribution that international law may make to the resolution of culture conflicts--political disputes between the members of different ethno-cultural groups--in democratic States. International law recognizes that persons belonging to minorities have the right to enjoy their own culture and peoples have the right to self-determination without detailing how these principles are to be put into effect. The emergence of democracy as a legal obligation of States permits the international community to concern itself with both the procedure and substance of 'democratic' decisions concerning ethno-cultural groups.