1: Right to Know

Advancing the Right to Know

Other Information:

Goal: This activity area aims to achieve improved and equal access to information held by governments for all European citizens by promoting common standards on access to information across Europe and by improving the quality of and compliance with legislation at the national and supranational level. Specific work strategy: Initiating, leading and joining advocacy campaigns Needs addressed: Citizens around Europe do not enjoy equal levels of access to information held by public authorities. The very minimum standards in the new Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents are not fully incorporated into the legal framework of all European countries, nor in the access regimes of intergovernmental and supranational organisations such as the European Union, Council of Europe, OSCE and NATO. Some countries are still without specific laws on access to information and others are lagging behind current international standards. Politicians and public authorities are not always aware of the latest developments on the right internationally and of the comparative best standards. Results we aim to achieve: Countries without full access to information laws adopt legislation that, at the very least, meets common minimum standards. National and supranational rules on access to information are reformed to bring them into line with international standards. Countries sign, ratify and implement the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents. Increased compliance with existing access to information legislation at the national and supranational level. Increased awareness among politicians and public officials of the importance of the right of access to information and how it should function in democratic societies.

Objective(s):

Current Project 1.1: Ratification Readiness: Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents

Current Project 1.2: Transparency

Current Project 1.3: Coalición Pro Acceso

Current Project 1.4: Aid Transparency

Project Pending Funding 1.1: The Right to Information:

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