Inter-American Democratic Charter reinforced under bipartisan Cassidy, Wicker bill

U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) on May 19 cosponsored legislation that would require a United States strategy to uphold and strengthen the Inter-American Democratic Charter and to assess threats to the charter’s democratic principles.

“The path to prosperity in the western hemisphere requires a commitment to democracy and uprooting corruption,” Sen. Cassidy said. “This bill reinforces our commitment to free and fair elections and the rule of law in the Americas.” 

The charter was adopted by the member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) at a special session of the General Assembly held on Sept. 11, 2001, in Lima, Peru. Its main purpose is to bolster and uphold democratic institutions throughout the nations of the Americas, according to OAS, which says the charter defines democracy and its relationship to integral development and the war on poverty, specifies how it should be defended when under threat, and promotes a democratic culture and electoral observation missions.

The bipartisan Upholding the Inter-American Democratic Charter Act of 2022, S. 4285, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), would celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter; encourage governments in the Americas to reinforce their commitments to the principles enshrined in the charter; reaffirm the role of free and fair elections as a cornerstone of democracy; and address the challenges posed by disinformation and misinformation in the Americas, according to the congressional record bill summary.

“The Americas are a cornerstone of our national security, economic prosperity, and collective commitment to the rule of law,” said Sen. Wicker. “Deepening regional ties at the Organization of American States through this legislation would prove an important step in securing a better future for our hemisphere.”

The senators introduced S. 4285 in advance of the Ninth Summit of the Americas that is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles next month.

If enacted, the bill also would support the creation of an OAS working group, as well as an OAS resolution to study the impact of disinformation and misinformation on democratic governance and human rights in the Americas, as well as the establishment of a special rapporteur on corruption at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, according to the lawmakers.