The Preventive Potential of Guarantor Institutions: Stregthening Legal Frameworks for Democracy

Wednesday, May 14 | 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (ET)

Baha’i International Community | 866 United Nations Plaza, New York NY

Organized by the Prevention Project hosted by New York University’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) and the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University, with the support of the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations.

Guarantor institutions, also known as “fourth-branch institutions,” are constitutionally entrenched bodies that function independently of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to safeguard democratic principles and fundamental rights. These institutions—including electoral commissions, anti-corruption agencies, human rights institutions, and oversight bodies—play a critical role in upholding the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. When effectively designed and empowered, they serve as bulwarks against governance failures, democratic backsliding, and mass human rights violations.

The erosion of independent institutions is a key enabler of state fragility and governance breakdown. When institutions designed to uphold democratic principles and human rights are weakened or co-opted by political actors, the foundations of good governance deteriorate, making societies more vulnerable to corruption, authoritarianism, and social unrest. Without strong, independent institutions, constitutional guarantees become empty promises, and states risk sliding into patterns of impunity, inequality, and repression. The ability of guarantor institutions to act as effective safeguards is therefore fundamental to ensuring the stability and credibility of governance frameworks.

The United Nations has repeatedly underscored the importance of strong institutions for sustainable peace and development, as reflected in Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16). In line with this, the upcoming event will focus on the preventive role of guarantor institutions, particularly in ensuring legal norms are upheld, human rights are protected, and democratic governance remains resilient against systemic threats. Addressing these challenges requires both national commitment and international support to reinforce the autonomy, capacity, and resilience of these institutions.

Join New York University’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHR&GJ) and Center on International Cooperation (CIC), with the support of the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations, to unpack the Prevention Project report on Making Constitutional Promises Credible: The Preventive Potential of Guarantor Institutions bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives from policymakers, practitioners, and advocates worldwide, to underscore the urgent need for international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 1.15 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. at the Baha’i International Community (866 United Nations Plaza, New York) and will present a unique opportunity for legal advisers from UN Permanent Missions to deepen their understanding of the role of guarantor institutions in sustaining governance and preventing mass human rights violations.  

By fostering dialogue among key stakeholders, we aim to reinforce the commitment to legal and constitutional safeguards that promote justice, accountability, and sustainable peace. Together, we will explore actionable steps, such as the exchange of effective national experiences through which multilateral diplomacy can support the strengthening of guarantor institutions, while promoting national ownership on the prevention agenda.