which the ODIHR can contribute.23 Following the structure of the Lisbon agenda, all areas discussed below are of equal importance, and the exclusion of any problematic area does not mean that the ODIHR views implementation in the relevant fields as accomplished. 27. The following overview uses participating States’ own parameters for describing acute problems in implementation a decade ago — shortfalls on democracy and elections, the freedom of the media, intolerance and discrimination, as well as the fate of the millions of people displaced against their will — as a reference point for what continue to be the most urgent challenges and shortcomings. Implementation challenges in the field of elections are highlighted in response to particular interest expressed by participating States in recent time. Moreover, it seems necessary to add that a number of concerns have arisen in recent years that relate to the core of the human dimension, in particular: the protection of human rights while countering terrorism, and the need to protect and enable human rights defenders and national human rights institutions, as well as the effective guarantee of the freedom of assembly and association. These topics, in addition to the issues enumerated in Lisbon, have been selected by participating States for focused review at human dimension meetings over the past two years alone.24 Ñ Democratic elections 28. In Paris in 1990, when the beginning of a new era of democracy, peace, and unity was proclaimed, all participating States undertook to “build, consolidate and strengthen democracy as the only system of government of our nations”25 and confirmed the inherent connection between human rights, the rule of law, and democracy. It is indeed remarkable that a nascent right to democratic governance has, alongside the older commitments to human rights and fundamental freedoms, emerged on a global scale.26 29. One of the most salient features of a genuine democracy is the holding of periodic, transparent, and democratic elections. While real progress has been made with regard to the conduct of electoral processes in South-Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and the Baltic States, it is unfortunate that this commitment, which is so central to the OSCE, is still not fully implemented in all participating States. This is the real electoral crisis in the OSCE region today. Against this background, ODIHR election observation reports provide comprehensive assessments and focused recommendations to participating States to assist them in the implementation of their election-related commitments. While many issues are country- and context-specific, challenges common to some parts of the region can be grouped into the following clusters. 30. The right to be a candidate The Copenhagen Document protects the right to be a candidate, which is a component of the right to universal and equal suffrage. Paragraph 7.5 requires that OSCE States “respect 23  Sections of this chapter were prepared in consultation with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. 24  A list of Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings and Seminars is annexed to this report. 25  1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe, p. 3. 26  In the World Summit Outcome Document of 2005 (para. 135), governments reaffirmed “that democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives.”  Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation