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INDIA JOINS G7

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS | INDIA JOINS G7, 4 OTHERS TO PROTECT FREE SPEECH, ONLINE AND OFFLINE | 30TH JUNE | THE HINDU

/ June, 2022, UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SYLLABUS SECTION: GS II (INTERNATIONAL ISSUES)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

India joins G7 countries and along with four invited (Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa) countries, signed the ‘2022 Resilient Democracies Statement’.

  • In the statements countries committed to guarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors and protecting the freedom of expression and opinion online and offline.

KEY DETAILS:

  • Countries affirm their commitment to work towards equitable, inclusive and sustainable solutions to global challenges (climate change, COVID-19) and reaffirm to the rules- based international order.
  • It took note of 2021 Carbis Bay Open Societies Statement and recognized the dramatic changes in the geopolitical situation since then and the significant threats to democratic systems around the world.
  • The statement assumes significance amidst aggressive moves by China in the strategic Indo-Pacific region as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Principles of RDS

  • Global Responsibility– To promote respect for other states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty; supporting democracy worldwide and free & fair elections etc.
  • Information Environment–
  • To protecting the freedom of expression and opinion online and offline and ensuring a free and independent media landscape through our work with relevant international initiatives.
  • It is promised to guard the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors, speak out against threats to civic space, and respect freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
  • Civil Society:
  • To advance programmes for the protection of human rights defenders and all those exposing corruption; promote academic freedom and strengthen the role of scientific evidence and research in democratic debate;
  • To protect civic space, and uphold transparent, accountable, inclusive and participatory governance, including by advancing women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership in civic and political life.
  • Inclusion and Equality-Protecting freedom of thought, conscience, religion/ belief and promoting interfaith dialogue; social cohesion and inclusion etc.

SOURCE: THE HINDU