Yemen

Name of law: Law Regarding The Right of Access to Information
First adopted: 2012
Last modified: n/a
RTI Rating last updated: n/a

Introduction

Yemen's passage of the ‘Law Regarding the Right of Access to Information’ is a welcome development, especially within its relatively under-legislated region. This law is relatively strong on the applicability front, with a broad scope and a limited range of exceptions. Other areas of strength include its near-perfect promotional measures regime and a binding external oversight body, the Commissioner-General for Information. Troubling aspects of the law are a potential lack of institutional independence within the oversight body and the absence of a public interest override. The fact that the law's whistleblower protection clause was significantly weakened is also troubling. Nonetheless, the passage of such a strong law is a positive development and it is hoped that it will be properly implemented by Yemen's government.

Local Expert: Khaled Saleh al-Anesi