Upload
brianna-ward
View
215
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Access to Public Informationin Ukraine
DiXi Group, UA-Energy.org
Current situation
Acting Law “On Information” was adopted in 1992
Authorities are obliged to answer inquiries of journalists and other citizens within 30 days
Failure to answer inquiries is administratively punishable, but this norm is rarely enacted
Public test of effectiveness reveals systemic problems Since November 25 till December 14, 2009 about
150 inquiries were sent to authorities dealing with energy policy; only 35% letters received any reply
The more precise and technical was the question, the less accurate and substantive was the answer.
The inquiries on significant details of authorities operation returned either general rhetoric or misleading answers or no reply.Attempts of investigative journalists to solve this problem by suing the authorities only made the latter provide formal replies that did not answer the question.
Perspectives of changing Ukrainian legislation New law “On access to public information” prepared
by an opposition MP and NGOs was adopted in the first reading
The document obliged the authorities to disclose public information, gave clear procedures to determine if it is classified, and strengthened the rights of journalists and citizens; only 5 days are given to answer an inquiry
On November 2, the ruling majority put forward its own version of the existing law “On information”; demands imposed on the authorities were much milder (e.g. 20 days are given to answer an inquiry)
Perspectives of changing Ukrainian legislation (2) On November 23, MPs from both majority
and opposition announced that both laws will be adopted simultaneously in a compromise wording
On November 30, the parliament adopted the law proposed by ruling coalition in first reading and sent it for second reading with accelerated procedure
Regional NGO coalition activities As agreed, DiXi Group and UA-Energy website
developed a platform for participating NGOs It offer an opportunity to post information, news,
results of analysis that would contribute to better access to public information
www.ua-energy.org/info
Further steps
Creation of national NGO coalition to combine effort of civil society in this direction
Promotion of the EITI standards in cooperation with authorities and companies
Further develop an Internet gate that would unite efforts in transparency and access to information
Develop local and regional training programs for journalists, civic activists, lawyers, civil servants and other stakeholders
Thank you for attention !