Posts Tagged ‘rti legislation’
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28 August 2014
Mozambique Close to Passing Access to Information Law
Mozambique’s parliament on Aug. 21 gave unanimous approval on first reading to an access to information law, but the action may have come too late in this session to become law. The bill could come up in an “extraordinary sitting” of the Assembly to be held before the general elections scheduled for Oct. 15, with […]
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24 August 2014
Paraguayan Senate Passes House-Amended ATI Bill
The Paraguayan Senate Aug. 21 approved the Access to Information Act, accepting amendments proposed by the House. A presidential signature is expected in the coming days, at which point Paraguay will be the 100th nation with a freedom of information law. The House passed a bill May 28, amending a Senate-passed bill. The House altered […]
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21 August 2014
Article 19 Criticizes Draft Mozambique Legislation
A draft right to information bill in Mozambique is disappointingly weak, according to a critique by Article 19 issued Aug. 15. The London-based free expression group said: Despite some positive provisions towards securing the right to information, the draft law in its current form largely fails to adequately enforce the constitutionally enshrined right to information. […]
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14 August 2014
Two FOI Bills Emerge in Kenya, One from AG
Several right to information bills are being worked on in Kenya, including one recently announced by Attorney General Githu Muigai. Muigai now has cleared the publication of that bill, according to an article in The Star. “If enacted by the National Assembly and the Senate, it will bestow the Commission on Administrative Justice its oversight […]
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14 August 2014
Compromise Bill Developed in Pakistan, Wins Praise
A compromise right to information bill for Pakistan has emerged from discussions among the political parties and is being praised by RTI campaigners. The draft “Right to Information Act, 2014,” was described Aug. 8 by Waseem Abbasi in an article in The News. Abbasi quoted sources as saying the bill has the support of the […]
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7 August 2014
Moroccan Cabinet Adopts Substandard ATI Bill
By Saad Filali Meknassi The author is an ATI advocate from Morocco. In Morocco, the Cabinet approved on July 31, 2014, the bill 31-13 on the right of access to information. This quick move has surprised observers and civil society organizations advocating and monitoring ATI implementation. The Moroccan network for ATI – REMDI – and two […]
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6 August 2014
Bhutan Refuses to Disclose Official Travel Expenses
In Bhutan, where a right to information bill stalled earlier this year, the government is refusing to provide information about official travel expenses, writes a member of parliament, Sangay Khandu. Khandu chronicles his efforts to obtain the information beginning in January. He reports on the many excuses used: The Government refused to share any information by […]
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29 July 2014
President Aquino Again Makes No Mention of FOI Bill
Philippines President Benigno Aquino did not mention the freedom of information bill in his annual State of the National address July 28, but the House Speaker affirmed his desire to pass a bill. The Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition had tried to raise the bill’s profile in advance of the speech, gathering 38,000 signatures […]
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29 July 2014
UN Committee Urges Malawi to Pass Information Access Bill
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has recommended that Malawi adopt an access to information bill. It is one of many observations made in a document adopted at a meeting held July 22-23. The committee report says: The State should expedite the adoption of the Access to Information Bill and to ensure that its provisions […]
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23 July 2014
Will Aquino Deliver on Vow to Pass FOI?
By Nepomuceno Malaluan This article was first published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on July 22 and it reprinted with permission Malaluan is co-convenor of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, a network of more than 100 organizations from different sectors that is at the forefront of the campaign for the passage of an FOI Act. He […]
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18 July 2014
Pakistan Committee Makes Changes in Draft RTI Bill
A committee of the Pakistan Senate on July 15 approved amendments to a right to information bill, according to an article in The Daily Times and one by the Pakistan Press Foundation. The Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, dropped a provision that would have left authority […]
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8 July 2014
Ghana Officials Reportedly Doubt Support for RTI BIll
Top parliamentarians in Ghana are being quoted as questioning the degree of public support for a right to information law but also as promising passage in 2016. The comments emerged in a July 8 news report that was based on accounts of pro-RTI activists who met with Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho; the […]
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8 July 2014
Groups Suggest Changes to Draft RTI Law for Cyprus
The government in Cyprus has produced as draft access to information law, but it needs improvement according to activists. Access Info Europe, the civil society organization Politeia and other groups in Cyprus recently made recommendations to strengthen the draft law. The comments were presented at a recent public consultation. The draft law (in Greek) does […]
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3 July 2014
Rapporteur Visits Ghana, Presses for RTI Law
The African Union Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Pansy Tlakula, is visiting Ghana to discuss the long-stalled right to information bill. The Special Rapporteur will meet with leaders of Parliament, the Minister of Information and Media Relations, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Select Committee on […]
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3 July 2014
Lower Afghan House OKs Access to Information Bill
The lower house of the Afghanistan parliament (the Wolesi Jirga) on June 30 approved an access to information bill. Advocates say the body took into account some important recommendations from Afghan civil society organizations that have waged a three-year campaign for a law, but that the legislation still needs improvement. Executive Director of Integrity Watch, […]
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20 June 2014
Bahamian Official Says Plans Under Way for FOI Legislation
Following a major rally for passage of a freedom of information law, a key minister in the Bahamian government has indicated that a plan to pass a law will be issued. However, the minister said, more that 100 amendments would be necessary to fix a version that came close to becoming law several years ago. […]
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13 June 2014
Tunisia Announces Plans to Consult on Access law
Tunisia will hold a second consultation on the draft law on access to information, according to the Secretary of State in charge of governance and public service, Anouar Ben Khelifa. The goal is to replace Decree Law No. 41-2011 on access to administrative documents. The Secretary of State said that repeal of the decree is […]
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6 June 2014
Push for Bahamian FOI Law to Kick Off With March
A broad coalition of groups is planning a march on June 11 to dramatize a campaign for a freedom of information law. The march is being supported by some political parties, churches, trade unions, business associations, concerned citizens’ groups, including Bahamas Against Crime and the Bahamas Humane Society. The Trade Union Congress has called on […]
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30 May 2014
Paraguayan House Passes Amended Access Legislation
The Paraguayan House May 28 approved access to public information legislation. The House amended the Senate-passed bill, in particular, Article 22, which defines confidential information, in ways considered positive by pro-transparency advocates. Exceptions are not specifically established in the bill. Instead, Article 22 refers to provisions in other laws that impose confidentiality. Groups supporting the […]
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30 May 2014
Bhutan National Council Delays Action on RTI Bill
The National Council of Bhutan has decided to delay action on the Right to information Bill 2014, according to a May 29 announcement. The National Council’s concerns about “obstruction” by the Prime Minister are further laid out in a longer document. The RTI bill was passed Feb. 5 by the National Assembly, the lower body, and sent […]