With suspending the Open Government Partnership (OGP) process, the Government of Georgia has been limiting the right to public participation for over two years. CSOs involved in the processes have issued an open statement to express their concerns that this situation is in violation of the OGP declaration and values.
Background of the OGP process in Georgia
Georgia joined the OGP in 2011 and implemented several important reforms within its framework. In 2014, Georgia was elected a member of OGO’s decision-making body – the Steering Committee – for the first time. In 2016, the country became a co-chair of OGP, while in 2017, succeeded France as OGP Chair. When in 2018 Georgia hosted the OGP Global Summit, the Government ignored recommendations from CSOs. CSOs part of the OGP forum therefore appealed to the OGP International Secretariat with a request to launch a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). This led to the Government confirming they would aim to create meaningful participation of CSOs and moved the process from the Ministry of Justice to the Government Administration.
CSO Meter monitoring
OGP processes are considered as a significant part of the development of the CSO-State cooperation in Georgia. In the CSO Meter reports Civil Society Institute (CSI) has been continuously reporting and analysing developments and their importance for civil society development in 2019 and 2020.
Plea from CSOs
-
The Government of Georgia should immediately restore the OGP process and ensure effective involvement of CSOs.
-
The OGP Secretariat (the Support Unit) should become actively engaged in resolving this lengthy crisis and to call on the Government of Georgia to take effective steps with the aim of restoring this process.