Democracy entails regular, fair and free elections. Different institutions and courts have developed rules about the assessment of the fairness of elections, balancing the requirement of respect for minimum international standards with respect for the diversity of legal culture, history and experience of the States. In addition, democratic elections require the existence of a set of rights such as freedoms of expression and association. A democratic society is therefore characterised by the existence of a robust civil society and pluralistic media. Unfortunately, these political rights in the wide sense are under attack (slap prosecutions against journalists, attack on human rights defenders, journalists, on whistle blowers, etc.), while in certain parts of the world the basic requirements of fair elections are not complied with. This course will analyse the case-law of various international courts and bodies to determine the minimum rules to comply with regarding elections and political parties, as well as the protection of journalists, civil society activists and Human Rights defenders who are under attack.