YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS. The Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership resolved that Azerbaijan will be regretfully designated as inactive in OGP, due to unresolved constraints on the operating environment for Non-Governmental Organizations, “Armenpress” reports, the official webpage of OGP says.

The OGP’s 22-member Steering Committee - composed in equal parts of government and civil society representatives - made the decision at its Ministerial-level meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. A vote was taken with 16 members in favor, 3 against and 3 abstaining. The government of Azerbaijan will have a maximum of one year to address the concerns raised by civil society organizations.

Azerbaijan will be labeled as inactive, will be ineligible to vote in OGP elections and will only be able to attend OGP events as an observer for learning purposes.

It will continue to receive Steering Committee and Support Unit assistance, including from OGP Working Groups, multilateral partners and peer exchange visits. The response policy was triggered in March 2015 when concerns were raised by three civil society organizations about threats faced by civil society in Azerbaijan. After carrying out an exhaustive review process, the OGP Criteria and Standards subcommittee found that the concerns were valid.

Azerbaijan has been participating in OGP since 2011. The decision is the first time that OGP has taken action under its Policy on Upholding the Values and Principles of OGP, known as the Response Policy, adopted in 2014.