Updates

In a troubling shift toward authoritarian governance, Georgia’s ruling party has enacted legislative reforms that drastically restrict freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and proposed changes to restrict media, public participation.

A new draft law proposes broader access rights for journalists and transparency obligations for parliamentary and local bodies, aiming to boost public trust during martial law — but concerns over misinterpretation remain.

Armenia takes important step with a new body dedicated to strengthening participatory governance and supporting civil society development.

Between January 25 and 26, websites hosted inside Belarus were blocked for viewing by foreign visitors, and popular VPNs were blocked for users inside the country.

Despite the release of over 200 political prisoners in 2024, the upcoming election is marked by hundreds of new criminal cases and thousands of ongoing persecutions.

A draft law proposes targeted tax relief and legal clarity for CSOs, enabling more flexible use of funds and promoting stronger support for Ukraine’s defence and recovery efforts.

The Orders aim to increase transparency for legal entities, but vague definitions and insufficient safeguards could lead to risks for CSOs and unfair implementation.

The State Financial Monitoring Service Review regarding threats and risks of using CSOs for money laundering and terrorism financing threatens the operational capacity of CSOs, raising concerns about discrimination and overregulation amid war efforts.

The risk of high fines can deter CSOs from accepting grants or donations altogether, potentially stifling their ability to carry out vital work.

Crackdown on pro-EU demonstrators escalates amid deepening political crisis in the country.

The Georgian government, headed by the populist Georgian Dream party, announced the suspension of EU accession negotiations sparking significant political unrest.

The lawsuit alleges violations of constitutional principles, particularly the secrecy of the vote and universal suffrage, during the October 26 elections. The Court is expected to deliver a verdict in 30 days.