Lahore: September 14, 2013. (PCP) The Principles of Democracy should be followed to ensure that the benefits of democracy reach to the citizens without any discrimination: Centre for Human Rights Education on International Democracy Day In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution A/62/7, encouraging governments to strengthen national programs devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy. In the same resolution the General Assembly decided that September 15 of each year should be observed as the International Day of Democracy. Centre for Human Rights Education-Pakistan, a human rights organization working for democratic development in Pakistan has called upon the government, political parties and other stake-holders to expand the scope of following of the principles of democracy- equality, non-discrimination, rule of law, respect and tolerance for religious, cultural and ethnic diversity to ensure that the benefits of democracy reach to the citizens without any discrimination. In a statement Centre for Human Rights Education’s Director Mr. Samson Salamat said that “consistency of the democratic system is essential for a prosperous and human rights friendly Pakistan. There has always been negative Propaganda against democracy in the Pakistani society by the anti-democracy forces, however the people of Pakistan have loudly given their decision once again in favour of democracy in the general elections held in may 2013 despite a lot of threats and hindrances. This is a success of democracy and we pay tribute to all those who have struggled to protect and promote democracy in the country despite un-favourable circumstances and inhumane hardships by the military regimes. However there is a lot more needs to be done to strengthen democratic system and democratic culture in Pakistan. The elected government should deliver good governance, maintain law and order, weed our religious and sectarian extremism, and promote economic progress and social stability” Mr. Samson Salamat added. The statement further said that all the state institutions should work within their constitutional roles and responsibilities, and the political process should be free of any internal or external, military or religious interference. The political parties should follow democratic norms and values while making decisions within their parties, moreover inheritance in the political parties should be discouraged. The citizens need to stand united to protect democracy and should understand that their responsibility is not over just by casting their votes, rather they should be watchful towards the performance and policies made by their elected representatives.