DEMOCRATIZATION ODIHR plays a key role in encouraging participating States to making their democratic institutions and processes more transparent, representative and accountable in line with their pledges under OSCE commitments, including the Astana Declaration, which reaffirms the commitment that democracy applies equally to all. ODIHR’s democratization aims to assist participating States in meeting their OSCE commitments in areas such as democratic governance and lawmaking; the development of pluralistic party systems and political party regulation; enhancing the rule of law; improving parliaments; ensuring freedom of movement and migrant integration; and promoting gender equality and women’s political participation. ODIHR also reviews draft and existing legislation in the human dimension upon request of for their compliance with human rights standards and OSCE commitments. ODIHR’s democratization work is multi-faceted, and focuses on strengthening and empowering state institutions as well as key democratic stakeholders, such as political parties, non-governmental organizations, men and women in an equal manner, migrants, youth and other groups. In doing so, ODIHR provides practical policy advice and assistance to build the capacities of democratic institutions in all three branches of government, and to facilitate the inclusion of civil society actors in decision-making processes. ODIHR’s democratization work also follows up on recommendations made by ODIHR election observation missions and numerous guidelines and tools provide an overview of good practices that can be applied by OSCE participating States and civil society on democratization-related issues in the OSCE region. ODIHR’s democratization programme underscores that democratic reform must involve civil society, and thus ODIHR works in partnership with state governments and local civil society organizations, encouraging them to cooperate in ensuring the full respect for fundamental freedoms, democracy and rule of law. ODIHR Annual Report 2014 23