Posts Tagged ‘model laws’

  • 12 June 2013

    Open Society, Others Issue Principles on Security, RTI

    The Open Society Justice Initiative and 21 international organizations have issued “Global Principles on National Security and the Right to Information.” The 50 principles include: Information should be kept secret only if its disclosure poses “a real and identifiable risk of significant harm to a legitimate national security interest” (Principle 3) Information concerning serious violations of international […]

  • 22 April 2013

    Model Access Law for Africa: A Response to Felt Need

    By Gilbert Sendugwa Sendugwa is Coordinator & Head of Secretariat, Africa Freedom of Information Centre.   The Model Law on Access to Information for Africa recently launched by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) an outcome of felt need and an inclusive process. The past decade marked an explosion of access to information […]

  • 12 April 2013

    African Model Access Law Issued by Rights Panel

    The long-awaited final version of the Model Law on Access to Information for Africa was posted April 12 on the website of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The model law is “a common approach to a common problem” wrote Pansy Tlakula, the Special Rapporteur on Access to Information in Africa and Freedom […]

  • 28 February 2013

    Rights Commission Approves Model African RTI Law

    The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has approved an African Model Law on Right to Information. Approval came at an “Extraordinary Session” of the Commission in Banjul, The Gambia, over the weekend of Feb. 23-24, culminated a long process. An announcement is expected  from the Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Access to Information in […]

  • 22 February 2013

    National Security Principles Project Nearing Completion

    The Open Society Justice Initiative is seeking comment on the latest draft of its major effort to craft “Principles on National Security and Right to Information.” The goal is to complete the project in early April. Sandra Coliver, Senior Legal Officer, Freedom of Information & Expression, OSJI, presented an overview of the project in testimony to […]

  • 15 February 2013

    Revised African Model Law Posted in Advance of Meeting

    A revised version of the proposed model law on access to information for Africa has been prepared for an upcoming meeting of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Discussion of the new draft is planned during the Commission’s meeting Feb. 18-25 in Banjul, Gambia. The new version, in English and French, is posted […]

  • 26 October 2012

    African HR Commission Critical of Model FOI Law

    The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Oct. 18 gave a rough reception to a draft model freedom of information law and deferred approval until its next meeting, in February. Commissioners found many reasons to criticize the draft model  law (English and French), which has been developed by a “Working Group” over the […]

  • 19 March 2012

    RTI Laws Rank Below Model Standards, Study Says

    “Right to information laws in Africa and the Americas are falling below the standards set by regional human rights bodies, while in Europe the standards themselves are weaker than the better right to information laws, according to a new analysis by Access Info Europe (Spain) and the Centre for Law and Democracy (Canada). Using their […]

  • 27 May 2011

    Views Sought on Model FOI Law for Africa

    The Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and access to information in Africa has requested comments on a draft model access to information law for African Union member states. Written submissions are requested by Aug. 15, 2011. To download a copy of the model law and to make a submission see the website of the […]