The Vilnius Declaration
Vilnius, Lithuania, September 15, 2015
The Vilnius Democracy Forum is conceived to reaffirm and reinvigorate the transatlantic commitment of peoples and governments to freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, and the principles of sovereignty and inviolability of international borders. We support reaffirmation of obligations made under international law to oppose the use of force and threat of use of force, to reject intervention in internal affairs, and to respect human rights.
Today, these common values are under threat. The current regime in Moscow has illegally annexed territory of a sovereign state, is undermining the stability of neighboring states, stifling the work of human rights organizations, and making political prisoners of activists promoting democracy and good governance.
In this declaration we call upon individual citizens, civil society, and governments to manifest their steadfast commitment to:
Promote vibrant civil societies, respect for human rights, and freedom of the press, encouraging honest journalism to demand accountability from corrupt governments and counter the weight of state-sponsored propaganda.
Confirm the desire of nations to build and sustain democratic systems based on the rule of law, thriving civil society, and free elections.
Strengthen resistance to kleptocracy, corruption, and criminality by exposing illicit assets, imposing sanctions on corrupt officials, and cutting their access to Western financial centers and societies.
Safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states by countering conventional and asymmetric warfare while promoting peace, non-use of force, and respect for international borders.
Reaffirm the defense and security commitments of NATO member-states and refuse recognition of territorial claims made in violation of international law.
Reinforce the political resilience of transatlantic partner states and ensure their sovereign freedom of choice in regard to international agreements, including aspirations to join the European Union and NATO.
Statement in Memory of Russian Civil Activists
The Vilnius Democracy Forum
Vilnius, Lithuania, September 15, 2015
In concluding the Vilnius Democracy Forum of 2015, the organizers wish to acknowledge the brave work of Russian activists fighting for freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law. The situation in Russia is worrying, but we are given great hope for the revival of the spirit of democracy by the efforts of these noble citizens.
We honor the memory of the late Yuri Afanasiev, Boris Nemtsov, Anna Politkovskaya, and the many advocates for such august principles, whose dreams and values will live on long beyond the passing of their champions.