Asia Georgia The EU annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World noted “severely curtailed” human rights in Georgia, reduced bilateral political contacts and dialogue between Brussels and Tbilisi amid “significant democratic backsliding”
Europe Kosovo European Parliament gave final approval for visa liberalisation for citizens of Kosovo; the visa waiver should come into effect on 1 January 2024
Asia Armenia The Armenian Genocide Oral History Collection, one of Zoryan Institute's earliest and biggest projects, has been added to Zoryan Institute and AU Oral History Centre with over 750 interviews of Armenian genocide survivors now accessible
Asia Bangladesh The country became a party to the Minamata Mercury Convention, reaffirming its strong commitment to global efforts to reduce pollution; the government decided to ratify the Convention after consultations with all stakeholders
America Chile Due to increasing irregular migration, national deputies have approved two projects that significantly expand police powers in border control and increase the deadline for migrant expulsion from the country from 48 hours to five days
Asia Syria Lebanon has deported dozens of Syrians to the war-torn country they fled, as anti-Syrian sentiment grows amid a severe economic crisis
Asia Georgia 1.208.462 international travellers visited Georgia in the first quarter of 2023, a 74,7% recovery from the pre-pandemic data
Europe Slovenia The government has extended retail price caps on electricity and natural gas for households, small commercial consumers and protected consumers, as well as retail price caps on electricity paid by SMEs, until the end of the year
Asia Thailand Eye and face recognition technology will be used in a pilot project to improve health services for foreign workers, refugees and ethnic people in 5 provinces
Africa Tunisia A prison warrant was issued by the judge at the Tunis Court of First Instance against the president of the Ennahda movement, Rached Ghannouchi, for conspiracy against state security
Asia Nepal The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has resumed producing power from biodegradable waste at the Teku biogas plant; the plant had been set up in 2017 but had been idle after only a few days of operation
Africa Sudan Sudan's belligerent forces clashed again in the capital, with shelling and over 350 casualties reported, ignoring calls by world powers for a ceasefire at the end of Ramadan
Asia Jordan His Majesty King Abdullah returned to Jordan after performing Umrah; on his two day visit to Saudi Arabia HM King Abdullah II held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, discussing bilateral ties
Europe Serbia The country is working to amend family law to define and recognise child marriage as a form of human trafficking; between 22 and 50% of Serbian girls marry before the age of 18