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Question

We live in a representative democracy isn't it therefore perfectly ok if these decisions are taken by the parliaments?

Answer

In reality, we live more and more in a mixed system with a parliament combined with referendums. Almost every country in Europe uses some form of referendum. Actually, a combination of a representative and direct democracy is the only system that can work in modern times. The MPs are elected to deal with everyday matters, which are too numerous to be decided by the people themselves. But in case of major issues in which there is reasonable doubt that the representatives are still representative of the population, it must be possible to hold referendums to see whether the parliamentarians are indeed still doing their jobs right – which is representing the people.

Modern citizens don’t want to hand over all their democratic rights. They are too individualistic and independent and don’t always follow political party lines. They want to be able to make major decisions themselves now and then through referendums. If this right is refused to them by their ‘representatives’, we don’t have the right to say we live in a democracy.
 

^{The answer was provided by Arjen Nijeboer, co-author of the book "Direct Democracy - Facts and arguments about the introduction of initiative & referendum" which you can download in DA, DE, EN, FR, NE, SK language here}