BETTER ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION THROUGH FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION REFORM

armradio.am
28.10.2009 17:46

An OSCE-supported public event focusing on a package of draft
amendments to Armenia’s legislation on freedom of information was
held in Yerevan today.

The package of proposed amendments was developed by the
non-governmental organization Freedom of Information Centre of Armenia
(FOICA), the National Assembly and the Ministry of Justice, in close
collaboration with civil society and international organizations.

The event follows a series of round table discussions aimed at
soliciting opinions and recommendations on the draft package from
several target groups, including civil society, media and government
agencies.

Armenia’s law on Freedom of Information adopted in 2003 was considered
progressive by several local and international organizations. However,
to ensure full-fledged implementation of the law several shortcomings
need to be addressed. The proposed amendments, for example,
include provisions that establish a unified procedure for providing
information, without relying on sub-legislative acts.

"Free access to information is a precondition for building a democratic
and pluralistic society, as it helps promote good governance,
transparency and accountability of the state institutions. We are
glad to support the reform of legislation on freedom of information
that will hopefully result in the adoption of amendments paving the
way for better access to government-held information," said the Head
of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos.

"We hope that this joint initiative of the National Assembly,
the Government and our NGO will help resolve a number of crucial
problematic issues. Sub-legal acts regulating procedures for providing
information would no longer be needed; submission of electronic
requests, as well as payment for information provision, would be
streamlined," added Shushan Doydoyan, the President of the FOICA.