NGO "Assistance to Free Economy" indicated ways to achieve the goals of the Open Government

Baku /19.06.17/ Turan: Experts of the public association "Assistance to free economy" published an alternative report on the implementation of the national plan to encourage an open government. According to the document, after Azerbaijan joined the Declaration on Open Government Partnership in 2011, the government twice adopted a national plan of action. The last one was adopted on April 27, 2016 and covers 2016-2018.

In 2016, as a mechanism for dialogue between the state and civil society, a Dialogue Platform was established. However, this structure was created under the auspices of the Council for State Support of NGOs under the President of Azerbaijan. Therefore, members of the Platform with rare exceptions are made up of activists of pro-governmental NGOs.

So, the Platform included representatives of 8 state structures and 31 NGOs, as well as two deputies. It is unclear by what criteria the members were invited to the Platform.

In 2015, Azerbaijan's membership in the international VET was frozen because of the problems created by civil society. This was preceded by a one-year government consultation with the VET Steering Committee.

In May 2015, the Review Team produced a report on the government's implementation of the commitments under the initiative. It noted the complexity of the registration process for NGOs.

Also in the report were large-scale tax inspections of NGOs, criminal cases against civil society leaders, freezing bank accounts of NGOs, and lack of cooperation with NGOs.

In June 2015, the subcommittee on VET criteria and standards made a proposal to the government to develop a National Action Plan by December 30, 2015.

However, this plan was adopted in April a few days before the meeting of the steering committee and Azerbaijan's membership was deactivated on May 4, 2015.

Azerbaijan was given 1 year to eliminate problems.

However, subsequent steps by the authorities, and in particular the new Cabinet

January 2017 on the registration of grants and the activities of foreign donors, were of a formal nature and did not eliminate restrictions.

So, two important problems have not been solved: foreign donors should still get the government's consent to grant grants. But even having obtained consent

Government, they should then receive the Finance Ministry's conclusions on the feasibility of the project.

As for the National Action Plan, it was adopted without the participation of independent NGOs and there is no government commitment.

Against this backdrop, pressure continues on civil society: the head of the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety Mehman Huseynov, the director of the Internet TV Kanal-13 Aziz Orujev, the journalist Afgan Mutarli was kidnapped and arrested in Tbilisi.

In addition, the authorities blocked the site "azadliq.org", "azadliq.info", "Meydan TV", "Turan TV" and programs.

In conclusion of the 15-page report recommendations are put forward:

A new National Action Plan has been adopted that provides for measures to increase transparency and accountability of public administration, the effectiveness of combating corruption, and the expansion of public participation.

It is recommended to create a free environment for the activities of NGOs, improve legislation, eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, remove restrictions on the donation of international organizations,

The registration of grants should be completely simplified, a new mechanism of government dialogue with independent civil society institutions developed, large fines against NGOs canceled, the government should return to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.-06D-