Monthly Archives: June 2012
Yemen Passes Strongest RTI Law in the Arab World
On 1 July 2012, Yemen marked a milestone in its transition to democratic government by passing the Law on the Right of Access to Information. An analysis by the Centre for Law and Democracy using its RTI Rating Methodology found that the Law scored 105 points, putting Yemen in a tie for 17th place in … Continue reading
30th Anniversary of the Federal Access to Information Act
Thirty years ago today, on 28 June 1982, Canada adopted the Access to Information Act, recognising the right of citizens to access information held by government. This progressive and hugely important step placed Canada among a small vanguard of nations that have recognised the right to information, a right that fundamentally underpins a healthy democratic … Continue reading
International Mandates Deplore Attacks on Freedom of Expression
Today, the 13th annual Joint Declaration by the four specialised mandates of the UN, OAS, OSCE and African Commission tasked with promoting and protecting freedom of expression was launched in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. This latest Declaration, prepared with the assistance of the Centre for Law and Democracy and ARTICLE 19, expresses “abhorrence … Continue reading
Minister Collins’ Comments about the Centre for Law and Democracy
In a News Release of 14 June 2012, the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice of Newfoundland, commented on a media report citing research by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD). The research, the RTI Rating, involves an assessment of all national access to information laws, undertaken by CLD and another highly respected international … Continue reading
Newfoundland: Amendments Would Significantly Weaken Openness
At a time when the right to information is being strengthened around the world, the government of Newfoundland’s Bill 29 would be a major step backwards for government transparency according to an assessment by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD).