Newsroom
OSCE Mission Head commends excellent work of Serbian Commissioner for Information
BELGRADE 8 June 2007
BELGRADE, 8 June 2007 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Hans Ola Urstad, expressed his support today for the excellent work of the Serbian Commissioner for Information of Public Importance, Rodoljub Sabic.
"Commissioner Sabic is a dedicated professional, who wholeheartedly promotes the public's right to know by enabling them to get the information they are entitled to by law," said Ambassador Urstad. "Such public servants are securing Serbia's future European integration by the high standards and practices they set."
In 2006 and 2007, together with the Commissioner, the Mission to Serbia organized dozens of workshops on free access to information for hundreds of civil servants and journalists. The Commissioner, with the Mission's support, drafted a Guidebook on the Law on Free Access to Information, published in the Official Gazette last October.
"The Commissioner is a key Mission partner in promoting the fundamental human right to free access to information," added Ambassador Urstad. "While unfortunately still facing obstacles in his important work, Commissioner Sabic has our support in continuing to work for the benefit of the citizens of Serbia."
The Law on Free Access to Information enables citizens to access information possessed by public authorities and by doing so to monitor their work. It is a strong tool against corruption and abuse of power. The Law stipulates an obligation of all State authorities to organize training for their staff on handling requests on access to information. In addition, public authorities are obliged to report regularly about their work and finances.
The Commissioner for Information monitors how the authorities respect this important Law and works to ensure its implementation.
"Commissioner Sabic is a dedicated professional, who wholeheartedly promotes the public's right to know by enabling them to get the information they are entitled to by law," said Ambassador Urstad. "Such public servants are securing Serbia's future European integration by the high standards and practices they set."
In 2006 and 2007, together with the Commissioner, the Mission to Serbia organized dozens of workshops on free access to information for hundreds of civil servants and journalists. The Commissioner, with the Mission's support, drafted a Guidebook on the Law on Free Access to Information, published in the Official Gazette last October.
"The Commissioner is a key Mission partner in promoting the fundamental human right to free access to information," added Ambassador Urstad. "While unfortunately still facing obstacles in his important work, Commissioner Sabic has our support in continuing to work for the benefit of the citizens of Serbia."
The Law on Free Access to Information enables citizens to access information possessed by public authorities and by doing so to monitor their work. It is a strong tool against corruption and abuse of power. The Law stipulates an obligation of all State authorities to organize training for their staff on handling requests on access to information. In addition, public authorities are obliged to report regularly about their work and finances.
The Commissioner for Information monitors how the authorities respect this important Law and works to ensure its implementation.