Statement on Democratic Discourse and Equal Political Participation

The WED has taken note of recent public remarks made by the President of the United States concerning Members of the United States Congress, including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

The WED recalls that democratic governance is grounded in pluralism, institutional respect, and the principle that elected representatives derive legitimacy from the electorate. Political disagreement, including sharp and emotional protest, forms part of democratic life. However, calls suggesting that elected representatives should be “sent back” from the country in which they serve raise serious concerns in light of fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination.

Under international human rights law, all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to participate in public affairs without discrimination based on origin, religion, or ethnicity. Public rhetoric that appears to question the belonging or legitimacy of elected officials because of their background risks undermining those principles and may contribute to societal polarisation.

At the same time, the WED emphasizes that freedom of expression protects even controversial and offensive speech. Democratic resilience depends not on suppressing speech, but on strengthening institutional norms, safeguarding equal political participation, and ensuring that public discourse remains anchored in constitutional principles.

The WED therefore calls for political leaders, across party lines, to uphold the dignity of public institutions, to refrain from rhetoric that may erode equal citizenship, and to recommit to the foundational principle that democratic disagreement must not devolve into exclusion.

The WED will continue to monitor developments concerning democratic standards, equal political participation, and public institutional integrity.