- On January 11, 2023, the new Law on political parties entered into force. The law introduces new restrictions into the rules for establishing, registering, and terminating political parties, and it increases government control over party activities. It requires 200 citizens who have been permanently living in Azerbaijan for the past 20 years to found a political party; registration requires 10,000 people, and unregistered parties are not allowed. Opposition groups have criticized the law as anti-democratic and a restriction on the right to freedom of association.
- On January 31, 2023, two additional laws came into force: the Law on combating the legalization of property obtained through crime and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT law) and the Law on amendments to the code of administrative offenses of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CAO amendment law). The AML/CFT law CSOs to have rules and procedures aimed at minimizing risks when receiving and giving grants and donations, and they must submit detailed financial reports about grants and donations and their use to the supervisory body by April 1 each year. According to the law, CSOs also should conduct their own annual risk assessment in order to comply with AML/CFT law requirements. All licenses, registrations, permits, and certificates of legal entities and individuals that do not comply with the law will be terminated or suspended. Under the CAO law, article 598.8 of the CAO was updated to include penalties for CSOs for not having rules and procedures aimed at minimizing AML/CFT risks. CSOs face fines of 10,000 – 20,000 manats (approx. 5,900 – 11,800 USD), and their officials face fines of 2,000 – 4,000 manats (approx. 1,200 – 2,400 USD) if they violate the requirements of article 598.8.
- On April 1, 2023, an amendment to the Tax Code came into force. It provides VAT exemption for three years for the presentation of media products and the performance of work and services directly related to media products by non-residents. The exemption does not apply to audiovisual media. The amendment is expected to positively affect CSOs conducting media related activities and benefit them if they publish print materials, receive aid, and provide services related to their media activities.
- April changes to the CAO amended articles 381 and 388. The new version of article 381 broadens the scope of responsibilities of CSOs conducting media-related activities and sets harsher and broader penalties for violations. In general, the penalties range from 200 – 10,000 manats (approx. 115 – 5,900 USD). which can be burdensome for CSOs conducting media related activities considering their limited human and financial resources. Article 388 provides penalties ranging between 200 – 3,000 manats (approx. 115 – 1,800 USD) for journalists and editors who disseminate information where it is prohibited by law or disclose the source of information where it is not permitted by law.