New Treaty on the Right Of Access To Information

Everyone has a right to information about how government is operating - to know how the government is spending our taxes and exercising the power that we give them at each election.

The world's first treaty on access to information was opened for signature by the Council of Europe on 18 June 2009.

To date 12 countries have signed the Convention and two - Norway and Hungary - have ratified it.

We are calling on governments across Europe to sign and ratify the new Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents.

You can help! Here's How:

• Ask your government if they will sign the Convention - see the Action Ideas page
• Go to the Photos page and send us your photo
• Go to the Action Ideas page to get involved
• About the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents

The Convention on Access to Official Documents has a number of positive features, including mandatory and optional features:

• Broad definition of information: all information recorded in any form, drawn up or received and held by public authorities
• Everyone (including non-citizens and non-residents) have the right to ask for official documents without discrimination
• Applicants never have to give reasons for requesting information
• Public authority shall help applicants identify requested document(s)
• Costs may be charged only for reproduction and postage of information; viewing of originals shall always be free of charge.
• Applicant shall have access to a review procedure before a court or another independent and impartial body established by law
• Exceptions shall be limited and public bodies must give reasons for refusals
• If some information is to be kept secret then partial access must be given to the remainder of the document.

The Convention applies to a number of government bodies on a mandatory basis and some on an optional basis. We are calling on all governments to sign up to the optional provisions as well.

Mandatory scope:

• Government and administration at national, regional and local level
• Natural and legal persons exercising administrative authority
• Legislative bodies – administrative functions only
• Judicial Bodies – administrative functions only

Optional scope:

• Legislative bodies (non-administrative functions)
• Judicial Bodies (non-administrative functions)
• Natural or legal persons in so far as they perform public function or operate with public funds
• Applicants may remain anonymous

In addition, formalities shall be kept to a minimum and requests shall be dealt with promptly. Public authorities shall manage their documents and there shall be education of public officials about their duties and responsibilities with respect to right of access to documents.