Updates

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.

The platform is a step forward and provides more transparency, but its effectiveness is yet to be seen.

The Court recognized a controversial law increasing fines for defamation as compliant with the Constitution.

The new amendments are a step back from decriminalising defamation.

On July 2, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia submitted draft amendments to the Government decisions for public discussion. These amendments suggest limiting the scope of information pro-actively provided to the public on the e-gov platforms.

Amendments to the Law on Normative Legal Acts were adopted but failed to improve public participation opportunities.

CSO Meter research used to advocate for improved procedures of state funding allocation, monitoring and evaluation.

New amendments would criminalise defamation of state officials.

The Parliament put forward two worrying legislative initiatives concerning freedom of speech and in particular, mass media law.

Restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression declared under the martial law in September are now revoked.

The new nationwide “quarantine regime” will remain in place until January 2021.