Day: April 23, 2026

Azerbaijan’s Ganja administration under investigation for corruption  OC Media

Central Asia, Azerbaijan Seal Deal on Environmental Cooperation  Caspian Post

Türkiye has enacted comprehensive new rules for social media platforms to better safeguard children and young users online, mandating age verification systems, enhanced parental control features, and the rapid removal of harmful content within tight timeframes.

Pashinyan confirms reconciliation with long-time partner Anna Hakobyan  OC Media

On 13 April 2026, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) decided to suspend Georgia’s membership, a move that ultimately led to the country’s removal from the platform.

“Severe human rights crisis in Georgia”: What the activation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism means

The mechanism was triggered with support from 24 OSCE states, calling for UN action on arbitrary detention, torture, restrictions on expression and judicial independence in Georgia

What is the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and why does it matter?

The OGP is an international initiative that brings together governments committed to strengthening transparency, accountability and public participation. For years, Georgia was often cited as a success story in this area — a country that had implemented reforms and moved closer to international standards.

Against that backdrop, leaving the OGP is more than a loss of formal status. It means stepping away from a platform where governments and civil society work together to reduce corruption and improve institutional transparency. It also signals the end of a process closely tied to the country’s broader democratic transformation.

Lawyers on amendments to Georgia’s grants law: ‘The essence of repressive law remains unchanged’

“The new draft amendments, like the previous ones, are once again written in a way that allows for dozens of interpretations”

The path to removal

Georgia’s removal was preceded by rising tensions that began in 2023, when increased pressure by the authorities on civil society and the media raised concerns among international partners.

Against this backdrop, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) temporarily suspended the country’s membership and set out clear conditions: by the end of 2025, laws restricting civic space were to be repealed, and protections for freedom of expression and assembly ensured.

However, according to the organisation’s assessment, the situation deteriorated further instead of improving. Democratic backsliding continued, restrictions on fundamental rights deepened, and additional regulations were introduced that made it more difficult for civil society and the media to operate.

As a result, civil society organisations involved in the OGP process withdrew from cooperation with the authorities, effectively undermining one of the platform’s core principles — partnership between government and society.

Council of Europe experts urge Georgia to repeal repressive laws

The expert opinion says the package of “repressive laws” restricts freedom of association and expression

Why this matters for every citizen

Georgia’s removal from the Open Government Partnership (OGP) is not just a matter of foreign policy. It has direct implications for the domestic environment — including how well freedom of speech is protected, how independently the media can operate, and the extent to which society can hold those in power to account.

According to the organisation’s own explanation, the decision points to a systemic problem: the weakening of democratic institutions and a shrinking space for public participation. Ultimately, this means that the public’s voice carries less weight in shaping state policy — a shift that most clearly defines the country’s current trajectory.

International Press Institute: ‘New laws in Georgia threaten to paralyse independent media’

The International Press Institute sharply criticised a new legislative package adopted by Georgia’s parliament.

Conclusion

In these circumstances, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) concluded that the minimum conditions required for open and accountable governance no longer exist in the country. This assessment ultimately led to the decision to terminate Georgia’s membership.

In effect, the move amounts to an international acknowledgement that the country has departed from the standards it had itself committed to uphold. As a result, Georgia is losing not only a specific platform, but also a significant degree of trust that is critical to the process of democratic development.

Expert assesses Georgian Dream’s 2024–26 laws targeting civil society

Nona Kurdovanidze: “Despite pressure, civil society organisations continue their work”

Georgia removed from the OGP

A minor earthquake struck the Caspian Sea on April 23, according to official reports.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake,” one of the most celebrated works in world ballet, has been staged at the Heydar Aliyev Palace by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, AzerNEWS reports.

The official visit of Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs to the Republic of Azerbaijan concluded on April 23, AzerNEWS reports.