A/HRC/40/65 accountable institutions, including parliaments. The legitimacy of those institutions depended on compliance with the rule of law and respect for human rights. While she acknowledged that democratic practice and the shape of democratic institutions may vary according to context, the core values of equality, justice, human dignity and human rights were universal. These empowering values forming the bedrock of democracy were provided in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the seventieth anniversary of which was in 2018, and in binding core human rights instruments. Those values formed the bedrock of any democracy and empowered everyone. The High Commissioner referred to parliaments as national debating chambers where ideas should be freely expressed. She spoke about the important role of parliaments, including when scrutinizing the executive and providing a check against its power. Parliaments should represent the whole of society, including minorities, and take into account the diverse needs of all. The High Commissioner emphasized the rights of parliamentarians and referred to the more than 500 cases of human rights violations against parliamentarians documented by IPU in 2017. She called for parliaments to protect civic space and noted that governments frequently shut down the space for civic participation, and had used legislative tools to restrict foreign funding of civil society organizations and control their registration or to impose excessive restrictions. She hailed cooperation between parliaments and national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, the media and the judiciary. While encouraging participants to explore how parliaments could rebuild trust in democratic institutions, the High Commissioner called on parliaments to promote respect, dialogue and compromise, leaving no room for discriminatory and xenophobic rhetoric. On migration, she said that parliaments from host and origin countries could cooperate on policy frameworks by addressing the associated human rights and rule-of-law challenges, helping to change the false narrative of hatred and reforming migration governance mechanisms to help migrants contribute to society. She concluded with a plea for parliamentarians to help translate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into actionable national policies and legislation. 8. The Chair of the second session of the Forum and Secretary-General of IPU, Martin Chungong, invited participants to reflect on current challenges, including threats to democracy and human rights, the lack of tolerance or sympathy for the “other”, and the spreading of fake news through social media. Grappling with today’s challenges should start with the recognition that democracy was imperfect, unpredictable, and had inherent weaknesses. Democracies were often slow to react and the inclusive and consultative nature of democracy was time-consuming. Nonetheless, Mr. Chungong argued that democracy remained the only viable route for people to come together in freedom around a common cause, the only system of government that allowed for self-correction and accountability, and the only platform for dissenting views to be expressed. He emphasized that parliaments should reflect society with half of parliamentarians being women, and all segments of society being adequately represented. He called on parliamentarians to rely on facts rather than emotions. An ethical political discourse was essential and data should be used responsibly to inform policy and decisions. Referring to hate speech as not only morally but legally reprehensible, he referenced the poisonous and insidious atmosphere in contemporary political debate and urged parliamentarians to refrain from using hate speech and to call out those who relied on it for political mileage. He encouraged parliamentarians to promote unbiased investigative journalism and to consider legislating to define the role of social media platforms in addressing fake news. He said parliaments needed to: protect freedom of expression, including that of parliamentarians, so that they could do their work without fearing reprisals; safeguard the space for political opposition; enable civil society to flourish; and inculcate democratic values such as equality, understanding, tolerance and compromise. Mr. Chungong referred to parliamentarians’ responsibility to ensure that political decision-making was not controlled by economic interest groups. He emphasized that democracy was about obtaining outcomes that promoted equality, respect and human dignity, and protected the planet. He referred to the role of parliaments in addressing violent conflict, and in responding to the challenges posed by social media. He called for parliamentarians to engage in self-reflection and more open conduct in order to become more responsive to people’s needs. He spoke favourably about parliamentary involvement in United Nations human rights mechanisms. Noting the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr. Chungong said that the values articulated in the Declaration were enduring and relevant. During the 139th Assembly of 3