Updates

CSOs outline some concerns during public consultation, and expect that the bill on access to public information will be further improved.

Government agreed to revise the law based on CSO contributions, which highlighted the law would be a step backwards in access to information.

Grant funding being the main source of income for most CSOs, they are concerned that such interpretation may pose risks for their sustainability and independence.

Commitments include creating a new government unit to promote participatory governance, as per CSO Meter recommendations.

The Action Plan 2023-2025 for the National Strategy on Human Rights Protection includes measures in support of civil society environment.

The law draft addresses most of the recommendations of the CSO Meter report, but a few problematic provisions remain.

The draft addresses key CSO Meter recommendations. However, a mandatory contract between the volunteer and the host organisation - even for short-term volunteers - remains an issue.

The draft amendments would allow the government to partially or fully block access to internet and censor information and social media in times of war.

This Action Plan includes several commitments that are expected to contribute to the civil society enabling environment in Armenia through addressing issues in freedom of information, public participation, public communication and data management.

New Criminal Code will not include provision on liability for grave insult, adopted last year.

The event addressed trends in the environment Armenian CSOs operate in and identified possible directions of improvement.

The report finds that while an enabling legal framework for public participation is generally in place, there is considerable room for improvement when it comes to practical implementation.