Georgia Signed First International Agreement on Access to Information

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} On June 18, 2009, Tromso, Norway -  Twelve CoE member states including Georgia signed the Convention on Access to Official Documents of the Council of Europe.

 

The convention is the first legally binding document which recognizes access to information as a fundamental human right. It is noteworthy that in April 2009 in the case of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) v. Hungary, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the freedom of information protected under Article 10 of the European Convention is of vital importance for democracy and the state accountability.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) together with other European NGOs took active part in the Convention elaboration process. Unfortunately the Convention sets a lower standard for access to information compared with the one set by the Georgian legislation or practice, but it is still the first legally binding international document recognizing the access to information as a fundamental human right.

Following the signature the ratification process starts. Provided the document is ratified by ten countries additional regulations on access to information protected at court and legislative bodies enter into force.

For additional information please visit GYLA Website at www.gyla.ge/foi  
Other useful links:

http://www.coe.int    
http://www.recognisemyright.info  
http://www.access-info.org