Newsroom
Draft Freedom of Information Law signals a new way of business in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo 28 June 2000
SARAJEVO, 28 June 2000 - The Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina announced today the draft Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Under the draft FOI legislation every member of the public has the right to access information held by government and other public bodies. It presumes that access to information is the rule and denial of access is the exception. The draft legislation aims to put as much information as possible into the public's hands at the lowest reasonable cost. It also gives individuals the right to amend or correct their personal information and to attach a commentary to it.
Access to information promotes greater transparency and accountability of public authorities. The adoption of FOI legislation is of vital importance to the building of freedom and democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This legislation will enhance the media's ability to report to the public about the work of government at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The draft legislation was developed in response to the July 30, 1999 decision of the High Representative that called for the adoption of FOI legislation at the State and Entity levels that upholds the highest international standards. This decision was issued in order to ensure the right to Freedom of Expression in Bosnia and Herzegovina as provided for in the Constitution of BiH.
The Decision is supported by the exhortations of the Peace Implementation Council, in particular in its 16 December 1998 Madrid Declaration, urging the adoption of FOI legislation in BiH. The High Representative's Decision further stated that this legislation should be prepared under the guidance of the OHR, the OSCE, and legal experts.
In accordance with the High Representative's decision, the OHR and the OSCE Mission established the Advisory Group on Defamation and Freedom of Information Legislation. Comprised of national and international experts, nominees of the BiH governments and representatives of the OHR, the OSCE Mission, and the Independent Media Commission (IMC), the Advisory Group reviewed the draft Freedom of Information legislation for the State and Entity Levels.
Members of the government, journalists' associations and political parties have been briefed in recent days about the proposed draft law.
A series of public meetings have been planned immediately following the public release of the drafts. The meetings will allow for comment from members of the media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civic groups, legal practitioners and members of local government. Copies of the draft FOI legislation can also be accessed at http://www.oscebih.org.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace, the OSCE Mission activities are to promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of Professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
MEDIA CONTACT: For information, contact the Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: (+387-33) 292 172; fax: (+387-33) 292 289; website: www.oscebih.org; e-mail: press.ba@osce.org
Under the draft FOI legislation every member of the public has the right to access information held by government and other public bodies. It presumes that access to information is the rule and denial of access is the exception. The draft legislation aims to put as much information as possible into the public's hands at the lowest reasonable cost. It also gives individuals the right to amend or correct their personal information and to attach a commentary to it.
Access to information promotes greater transparency and accountability of public authorities. The adoption of FOI legislation is of vital importance to the building of freedom and democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This legislation will enhance the media's ability to report to the public about the work of government at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The draft legislation was developed in response to the July 30, 1999 decision of the High Representative that called for the adoption of FOI legislation at the State and Entity levels that upholds the highest international standards. This decision was issued in order to ensure the right to Freedom of Expression in Bosnia and Herzegovina as provided for in the Constitution of BiH.
The Decision is supported by the exhortations of the Peace Implementation Council, in particular in its 16 December 1998 Madrid Declaration, urging the adoption of FOI legislation in BiH. The High Representative's Decision further stated that this legislation should be prepared under the guidance of the OHR, the OSCE, and legal experts.
In accordance with the High Representative's decision, the OHR and the OSCE Mission established the Advisory Group on Defamation and Freedom of Information Legislation. Comprised of national and international experts, nominees of the BiH governments and representatives of the OHR, the OSCE Mission, and the Independent Media Commission (IMC), the Advisory Group reviewed the draft Freedom of Information legislation for the State and Entity Levels.
Members of the government, journalists' associations and political parties have been briefed in recent days about the proposed draft law.
A series of public meetings have been planned immediately following the public release of the drafts. The meetings will allow for comment from members of the media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civic groups, legal practitioners and members of local government. Copies of the draft FOI legislation can also be accessed at http://www.oscebih.org.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace, the OSCE Mission activities are to promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of Professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
MEDIA CONTACT: For information, contact the Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: (+387-33) 292 172; fax: (+387-33) 292 289; website: www.oscebih.org; e-mail: press.ba@osce.org