Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries Part Two: Practice and Implementation Regional Project Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries Part Two: Practice and Implementation Study Editor: Jeff Lovitt Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries Part Two: Practice and Implementation Study About this publication: This study was commissioned by the Civil Society Division, Directorate General of Democracy, Council of Europe, and is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. Editor: Jeff Lovitt Council of Europe project team: Eteri Kamarauli, Gabriela Matei Acknowledgements are due to many experts who commented on drafts, and provided detailed input on laws and practice in their respective countries. Particular thanks are due to: Hanna Asipovich, Arzu Abdullayeva, Ziya Guliyev, Gubad Ibadoglu, Avetik Ishkhanyan, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Ion Manole, Lusine Martirosyan, Boris Navasardyan, Natalia Oksha, Aram Orbelyan, Isabella Sargsyan, Olga Stuzhinskaya, and Heriknaz Tigranyan. The opinions expressed in this study are those of the authors and do not reflect the official position of the Council of Europe. The reproduction of extracts from this publication is authorised on condition that the source is properly cited. Photo: © Council of Europe © Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France, April 2017 Council of Europe F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex France www.coe.int http://partnership-governance-eu.coe.int Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries, Part Two: Practice and Implementation – Study < < 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................7 by Jeff Lovitt II. CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING: PRACTICE AND CASE STUDIES ..........................................................................................................21 ARMENIA ..........................................................................................................................................................23 by Haykak Arshamyan The Participatory Policymaking Process – Policy Cycle Stages .....................................................26 PARTICIPATION IN THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS: TWO CASE STUDIES Constitutional Amendments, 2013-2015 .............................................................................................30 Law on Public Organisations, 2009-2016 ............................................................................................46 CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY-MAKING: TWO CASE STUDIES Draft Law on Equality, 2014-2016 ...........................................................................................................60 Electric Yerevan, 2015 ..................................................................................................................................68 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................74 AZERBAIJAN ....................................................................................................................................................77 The Participatory Policymaking Process – Policy Cycle Stages .....................................................80 PARTICIPATION IN THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS: TWO CASE STUDIES Draft Law on the Right to Legislative Initiative of 40,000 Voting Citizens, 2012-2013 .........84 Law on Public Participation, 2011-2014 ................................................................................................90 CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY-MAKING: TWO CASE STUDIES CSOs’ Participation in Formulation of the Open Government Partnership Initiative and its Action Plan for 2016-18 ................................................................................................................98 Civil Society Defence Committee, 2009-2017 ...................................................................................108 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................115 BELARUS .........................................................................................................................................................117 by Tatiana Kouzina The Participatory Policymaking Process – Policy Cycle Stages ...................................................122 PARTICIPATION IN THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS: TWO CASE STUDIES Decree on Regulation of Entrepreneurial Activity, 2014 ...............................................................126 Draft Law on Treatment of Animals, 2015-2016 ...............................................................................134 CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY-MAKING: TWO CASE STUDIES Revisions to Laws on Provision of Social Services ..........................................................................144 Reform of Decision-Making on Environmental Impact, 2015-2016..........................................154 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................161 4 < < Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries, Part Two: Practice and Implementation – Study GEORGIA .........................................................................................................................................................165 by Tamar Gvaramadze and Elene Nizharadze The Participatory Policymaking Process – Policy Cycle Stages ...................................................168 PARTICIPATION IN THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS: TWO CASE STUDIES Amendments to the Law Concerning Constitutional Court, 2016 ...........................................174 Changes to the Election Code, 2013 ....................................................................................................185 CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY-MAKING: TWO CASE STUDIES Local Government Reform, 2012-2015 ................................................................................................198 Reform of the Prosecutor’s Office, 2014-2015...................................................................................207 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................217 REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA ...........................................................................................................................219 by Sorina Macrinici The Participatory Policymaking Process – Policy Cycle Stages ...................................................227 PARTICIPATION IN THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS: TWO CASE STUDIES Amendments to Law on Tobacco and Tobacco Products, 2012-2015 .....................................232 Amendment of the Electoral Code, 2016 ...........................................................................................242 CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY-MAKING: TWO CASE STUDIES Amendment of the “2% Law” and Adoption of Implementing Regulation, 2015-2016 ....250 Advocacy for the Adoption of draft Law on Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-2016 ..............259 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................265 UKRAINE..........................................................................................................................................................267 by Viktor Tymoshchuk and Yevhen Shkolnyi The Participatory Policymaking Process – Policy Cycle Stages ...................................................270 PARTICIPATION IN THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS: TWO CASE STUDIES Law on Civil Service, 2015 ........................................................................................................................276 Amendments to the Tax Code, 2014-2015 .........................................................................................288 CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY-MAKING: TWO CASE STUDIES Draft Law on Public Consultations ........................................................................................................308 Civil Initiative Reanimation Package of Reforms .............................................................................319 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................330 III. LESSONS LEARNED ................................................................................................................................333 APPENDIX: MEASURES FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING IN THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES ...........341 by Goran Forbici and Tina Divjak Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries, Part Two: Practice and Implementation – Study < < 5 6 < < Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries, Part Two: Practice and Implementation – Study I. INTRODUCTION by Jeff Lovitt* * Jeff Lovitt is Chair of New Diplomacy, www.newdiplomacy.net Civil Participation in Decision Making in the Eastern Partnership Countries, Part Two: Practice and Implementation – Study