Caucasus

Demonstrators in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi taped their mouths on March 6 to protest against a draft law that would have required NGOs and media organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their annual funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents”. Labelled as an attack on free expression and legitimate civic activism, the law was dropped.
Demonstrators in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi taped their mouths on March 6 to protest against a draft law that would have required NGOs and media organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their annual funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents”. Labelled as an attack on free expression and legitimate civic activism, the law was dropped. © Gvantsa Seturidze

Georgia: "I have never felt as exposed to threats"

A worsening media environment and rising physical and professional threats have left many feeling unsafe.

3 May 23
An evening view of Tsalenjikha, a village in Georgia's western region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Magda Kharchilava, 24, left the village of nearly 4,000 people to study in the capital Tbilisi but decided to return to pursue her photography and art passion. She is an exception: young Georgians are leaving rural areas in droves due to lack of education and job opportunities in the regions.
An evening view of Tsalenjikha, a village in Georgia's western region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Magda Kharchilava, 24, left the village of nearly 4,000 people to study in the capital Tbilisi but decided to return to pursue her photography and art passion. She is an exception: young Georgians are leaving rural areas in droves due to lack of education and job opportunities in the regions. © Magda Kharchilava

Young Georgians Abandon Rural Life for the Capital

As Tbilisi swells, towns and villages lose the very force that could keep them alive.

28 Mar 23
In February 2023, the Armenian government announced the gradual introduction of a national health insurance that in four years would cover the country’s population. Experts have long debated the need to reform the current system, under which the general public pays for treatment, while those from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups can access free care.
In February 2023, the Armenian government announced the gradual introduction of a national health insurance that in four years would cover the country’s population. Experts have long debated the need to reform the current system, under which the general public pays for treatment, while those from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups can access free care. © Armenia’s Ministry of Health

Armenia to Launch Comprehensive Health Insurance

Country has long had low spending on healthcare, leading to huge pressure on ordinary citizens.

22 Mar 23
A view of Badara village, in Nagorny Karabakh’s Askeran district, about 25km from Stepanakert, where HALO Trust teams conduct clearance activities. Since 2000, the British NGO has cleared nearly 500 minefields in the South Caucasus region. Since late 2020, however, mines are no longer the only danger. The 44-day war Armenia and Azerbaijan fought for the control of the region has left roads, yards, and houses strewn with deadly explosives like cluster munitions. Clearance activities now focus on removing
A view of Badara village, in Nagorny Karabakh’s Askeran district, about 25km from Stepanakert, where HALO Trust teams conduct clearance activities. Since 2000, the British NGO has cleared nearly 500 minefields in the South Caucasus region. Since late 2020, however, mines are no longer the only danger. The 44-day war Armenia and Azerbaijan fought for the control of the region has left roads, yards, and houses strewn with deadly explosives like cluster munitions. Clearance activities now focus on removing © Siranush Sargsyan

Nagorny Karabakh’s Female Deminers

The region has the highest per capita rate in the world of accidents due to unexploded ordnance.

8 Mar 23
A journalist holds a sign labelling a draft law currently under discussion in Georgia as "a Russian law" during a protest staged in front of the Parliament on 2 March, 2023. The government is facing domestic and international calls to backtrack on plans to adopt a "foreign influence agents" bill as critics say it mimics a similar law in Russia.
A journalist holds a sign labelling a draft law currently under discussion in Georgia as "a Russian law" during a protest staged in front of the Parliament on 2 March, 2023. The government is facing domestic and international calls to backtrack on plans to adopt a "foreign influence agents" bill as critics say it mimics a similar law in Russia. © Gvantsa Seturidze/IWPR

Draft Law on Foreign Agents Sparks Outcry in Georgia and Abroad

Ruling party says that bill ensures transparency; critics argue it mimics Russian laws and will crush EU integration.

3 Mar 23
On 21 February 21, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (right) met Stefano Tomat (centre), chief of civilian operations of the European External Action Service, and Markus Ritter (left), head of the new EU monitoring mission in Armenia. Deployed on 20 February, the two-year mission foresees up to 100 personnel, of which 50 unarmed civilian monitors, and will monitor the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
On 21 February 21, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (right) met Stefano Tomat (centre), chief of civilian operations of the European External Action Service, and Markus Ritter (left), head of the new EU monitoring mission in Armenia. Deployed on 20 February, the two-year mission foresees up to 100 personnel, of which 50 unarmed civilian monitors, and will monitor the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. © Press office of Armenia's Prime Minister's office

EU Deploys Two-Year Monitoring Mission in Armenia

Brussels commits to reducing border tensions with a longer-term and more robust deployment.

23 Feb 23
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