2: Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Using the right to know for human rights and civil liberties

Other Information:

Goal: The second strategic activity area aims to help people to defend their fundamental human rights and civil liberties using the right of access to information. Needs addressed: Civil society organisations are finding it hard to get information needed to protect fundamental human rights. The right of access to information is not being used to its full potential by civil society organisations and individuals to defend other fundamental human rights. Many civil society organisations do not have a thorough knowledge of how the right of access to information works in practice or lack strategies for integrating it into their research and advocacy work. Journalists need training and support in incorporating the filing of requests into investigative and daily reporting work. There is a need for sharing of information on levels of government transparency between CSOs working in different countries around Europe. There is a particular need in specific areas to convert calls for transparency into targeted campaigns to promote the right of access to information in order to make a greater volume of relevant information held by Governments available to citizens. These areas include government counter-terrorism measures and international aid funding. There is a need for a help desk which can provide advice and support to members of the public, CSOs and public officials on the right of access to information. Specific work strategy: cooperating with and supporting civil society organisations, journalists and groups of citizens. Results we aim to achieve: Civil society organisations in Europe have a deeper knowledge of the right of access to information and how it can be used in their work to have a greater impact, even when information requests are not answered. As a result there is an increase in filing of requests and civil society groups join the campaign for greater proactive publication of information in specific sectors and generally. European journalists are aware of the right of access to information and of its use as a tactical tool for their daily work. There is an increased use of cross-border filing of information requests in investigations into areas of common interest between different countries all across Europe. Access Info gathers, analyses, and publishes comparative data about levels of transparency in Europe which can in turn be used in advocacy campaigns. Greater transparency in specific sectors which touch upon essential issues of European citizen´s interest both through increased proactive publication of information and higher rates of response to requests for information. Civil society organisations, journalists, members of the public can access independent advice about the right of access to information and, where necessary, be put in touch with lawyers who can help on a particular case.

Objective(s):

Current Project 2.1: “Legal Leaks”

Current Project 2.2: Litigation

Current Project 2.3: Toolkits

Current Project 2.4: Access Info Help Desk

Project Pending Funding 2.1: “Turn on the Light”

Project Pending Funding 2.2: Access for Rights:

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