[A2k] [Fwd: INFO: Survey of National FOI laws]

[Michelle Childs]

For those wanting the link

Michelle


For Immediate Release
20 September 2006

Privacy International Releases Global Freedom of Information Survey

Finds increased adoption, but some countries are slipping back

London, 20 September 2006 -- Privacy International today released a
comprehensive survey provides a comprehensive review of Freedom of
Information Laws and practices in nearly 70 countries around the
world.

Titled "Freedom of Information Around the World 2006 Global Survey of
Access to Government Information Laws, the survey draws attention to
the growing movement around the world to adopt FOI laws. In just the
past two years, over a dozen countries have adopted new laws and
decrees, while dozens more are considering proposals. Important
international treaties such as the UN Convention Against Corruption
have also gone into force. These laws are being used to fight
corruption, make government bodies accountable and promote social and
human rights.

Unfortunately, the survey also highlights that many problems still
exist such as poorly drafted laws, lax implementation and an ongoing
culture of secrecy in many countries. There are also dangers in
backsliding such as in Ireland where the imposition of onerous fees
has significantly reduced use of the law and in the United Kingdom
where a similar proposal is being considered. New laws promoting
secrecy in the global war on terror have also undercut access.

The report is being released just prior to the Annual International
Right to Know Day on 28 September. Advocates in dozens of countries
will be holding events celebrating the day.

The survey is available at the Privacy International website at
http://www.privacyinternational.org/foi/survey. An interactive
version in conjunction with freedominfo.org and the Open Society
Justice Institute will be released shortly.

For more information, contact: David Banisar [banisard (@)
privacy.org], Director, FOI Project

Privacy International is one of the world's oldest privacy
organisations, and has been instrumental in establishing the modern
international privacy movement. The organisation was formed in 1990
as a privacy, human rights and civil liberties watchdog. It has been
at the forefront of research and public education on issues ranging
from biometrics and identity cards, to police systems and national
security arrangements, to Internet censorship, cybercrime and
communications surveillance to freedom of information and media
rights and has organised campaigns and initiatives in more than fifty
countries. More information is available at
http://www.privacyinternational.org/


--
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David Banisar (d.banisar/at/privacy.org)
Director , FOI Project
Privacy International
London, UK
http://www.privacyinternational.org/


***Please note changed email address ***



--
Michelle Childs -Head of European Affairs
Consumer Project on Technology in London
24, Highbury Crescent, London, N5 1RX,UK.
Tel:+44(0)207 226 6663 ex 252.
Mob:+44(0)790 386 4642. Fax: +44(0)207 354 0607
http://www.cptech.org

Consumer Project on Technology in Washington, DC
1621 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009 USA .Tel.:
+1.202.332.2670,Fax: +1.202.332.2673

Consumer Project on Technology in Geneva
1 Route des  Morillons, CP 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 6727