Ivory Coast
Name of law: Loi No 2013-867 du 23 décembre 2013 relative à l’accès à i’information d’intèrêt public
First adopted: 2013
Last modified: n/a
RTI Rating last updated: 2014-05
Introduction
Despite some positives, the Ivory Coast’s right to information legislation is below average strength. The law’s scope is ambiguous, as it refers to public authorities as “the State and its members”, which does not clearly define which executive bodies are subject to the act, while it does not apply to the legislature or State-owned enterprises, and only applies to the judiciary as regards its administrative functions. Its strongest performance is in terms of its relatively robust procedural provisions, which promote active communication between the requester and the public authority to make the system user-friendly. Although many specific exceptions are legitimate, secrecy laws are largely preserved and there is no public interest override. The nature and powers of the external oversight body are largely to be defined by decree. While there are sanctions, there are no protections and the promotional measures regime is relatively weak.
The law is also available in its French original here.
Colaborators
| id | Section | Points | Max score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right of Access | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | Scope | 15 | 30 |
| 3 | Requesting Procedures | 20 | 30 |
| 4 | Exceptions & Refusal | 17 | 30 |
| 5 | Appeals | 13 | 30 |
| 6 | Sanctions & Protections | 4 | 8 |
| 7 | Promotional Measures | 5 | 16 |
| ∑ = 76 | ∑ = 150 |
| Section | I | Description | Scoring instructions | Max score | Findings | Points | Article | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Right of Access |
1 | The legal framework (including jurisprudence) recognises a fundamental right of access to information. | Score 0 for no constitutional right to information, 1 point for a limited constitutional right, 2 points for full constitutional recognition of a public right of access to information. | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
1. Right of Access |
2 | The legal framework creates a specific presumption in favour of access to all information held by public authorities, subject only to limited exceptions. | No=0, Partially=1, Yes=2 | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 3. Toute personne physique ou morale a le droit d’accéder, sans discrimination, à des informations d’intérêt public et documents publics détenus par les organismes publics. | |
1. Right of Access |
3 | The legal framework contains a specific statement of principles calling for a broad interpretation of the RTI law. The legal framework emphasises the benefits of the right to information. | One point for each characteristic. | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
2. Scope |
4 | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 3. Any natural or legal person has the right to access, without discrimination, information of public interest and public documents held by public bodies. Article 11. Anyone wishing to access information and public documents submits a written request to the body concerned in which it determines its identity and quality. The request is drafted in French and includes data allowing to reasonably identify the information sought. An acknowledgment of receipt is delivered to the applicant. Where the request is not sufficiently precise or where a person requires assistance in identifying the document likely to contain the information sought, the person responsible shall assist him / her. The applicant is not obliged to justify his request. | Any natural or legal person. |
2. Scope |
5 | The right of access applies to all material held by or on behalf of public authorities which is recorded in any format, regardless of who produced it. | Score 1-3 points if limited definition of information information such as not "internal documents" or databases excluded, 4 points for all information with no exceptions. | 4 | Partially | 2 | Article 1. For the purposes of this law, the term "definite document" means any document the preparation of which has been completed and may be brought to the attention of the public; public document: any document whatever the date, the place of preservation, the support, product, received or held in the course of the exercise of their functions by the public organizations; information d’intérêt public: toute donnée ou connaissance, quelle qu’en soit la forme, produite, reçue, détenue, transformée ou préservée par les organismes publics. Public bodies: the State and its members; the judicial authorities in so far as they perform administrative functions in accordance with the legislation in force; private legal entities that provide public services or perform a public service or public service mission under a state concession, delegation or authorization. Article 3. Any natural or legal person has the right to access, without discrimination, information of public interest and public documents held by public bodies. Article 6. The public documents are communicable, in particular files, reports, studies, documents of orientation or public policies, reports, minutes, statistics, directives, instructions, circulars, memos, notices, forecasts, decisions and ministerial responses that involve an interpretation of the law or a description of the administrative procedures. Article 7. The right to communicate applies to the final documents. The deposit in the public archives of the communicable documents does not preclude the right to the communication of these documents. Article 11. Anyone wishing to access information and public documents submits a written request to the body concerned in which it determines its identity and quality. The request is drafted in French and includes data allowing to reasonably identify the information sought. An acknowledgment of receipt is delivered to the applicant. Where the request is not sufficiently precise or where a person requires assistance in identifying the document likely to contain the information sought, the person responsible shall assist him / her. The applicant is not obliged to justify his request. | Not clear: information of public interest is big, but 6 and 7 are referring to final documents. |
2. Scope |
6 | Requesters have a right to access both information and records/documents (i.e. a right both to ask for information and to apply for specific documents). | Score 1 point for only documents, 1 point for information. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 3. Any natural or legal person has the right to access, without discrimination, information of public interest and public documents held by public bodies. Article 11. Anyone wishing to access information and public documents submits a written request to the body concerned in which it determines its identity and quality. The request is drafted in French and includes data allowing to reasonably identify the information sought. An acknowledgment of receipt is delivered to the applicant. Where the request is not sufficiently precise or where a person requires assistance in identifying the document likely to contain the information sought, the person responsible shall assist him / her. The applicant is not obliged to justify his request. | |
2. Scope |
7 | The right of access applies to the executive branch with no bodies or classes of information excluded.This includes executive (cabinet) and administration including all ministries, departments, local government, public schools, public health care bodies, the police, the armed forces, security services, and bodies owned or controlled by the above. | Score 4 points for central government agencies covered: 1 for the head of state, 1 for ministries, 1 for other non-statutory agencies created by the ministries, 1 for state and local government if the government is unitary. If it´s a federalist system, 2 points for the non-statutory agencies. This can be determined by examining the length and thoroughness of the list, if such a schedule exists. Score 1 point for the archives. Add three points and deduct 1 for each exempted central agency (such as the armed forces, police, etc). | 8 | Partially | 5 | Article 1. For the purposes of this law, the term "definite document" means any document the preparation of which has been completed and may be brought to the attention of the public; public document: any document whatever the date, the place of preservation, the support, product, received or held in the course of the exercise of their functions by the public organizations; information of public interest: any data or knowledge, whatever its form, produced, received, held, transformed or preserved by public bodies. Public bodies: the State and its members; the judicial authorities in so far as they perform administrative functions in accordance with the legislation in force; private legal entities that provide public services or perform a public service or public service mission under a state concession, delegation or authorization. | Not clear. |
2. Scope |
8 | The right of access applies to the legislature, including both administrative and other information, with no bodies excluded. | Score 1 point if the law only applies to administrative documents, 2-3 points if some bodies excluded, 4 points if all legislative branch at all levels of government | 4 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
2. Scope |
9 | The right of access applies to the judicial branch, including both administrative and other information, with no bodies excluded. | Score 1 point if the law only applies to administrative documents, 2-3 points if some bodies excluded, 4 points if all judicial branch at all levels of government | 4 | Partially | 2 | Article 1. Au sens de la présente loi, on entend par: document définitif: tout document dont l’élaboration est achevée et susceptible d’être porté à la connaissance du public; document public: tout document quel qu’en soit la date, le lieu de conservation, le support, produit, reçu ou détenu dans le cadre de l’exercice de leurs fonctions par les organismes publics; information d’intérêt public: toute donnée ou connaissance, quelle qu’en soit la forme, produite, reçue, détenue, transformée ou préservée par les organismes publics. Organismes publics: l’Etat et ses démembrements; les autorités judiciaires dans la mesure où elles accomplissent des fonctions administratives selon la législation en vigueur; les personnes morales de droit privé qui fournissent des services publics ou qui remplissent une mission de service ou d’intérêt public en vertu d’une concession, délégation ou autorisation de la part de l’Etat. | Only administrative functions. |
2. Scope |
10 | The right of access applies to State-owned enterprises (commercial entities that are owned or controlled by the State). | Score 1 point if some, 2 points if all | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
2. Scope |
11 | The right of access applies to other public authorities, including constitutional, statutory and oversight bodies (such as an election commission or information commission/er). | Score 1 point if some bodies, 2 points if all | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
2. Scope |
12 | The right of access applies to a) private bodies that perform a public function and b) private bodies that receive significant public funding. | 1 point for public functions, 1 point for public funding | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 1. Au sens de la présente loi, on entend par: document définitif: tout document dont l’élaboration est achevée et susceptible d’être porté à la connaissance du public; document public: tout document quel qu’en soit la date, le lieu de conservation, le support, produit, reçu ou détenu dans le cadre de l’exercice de leurs fonctions par les organismes publics; information d’intérêt public: toute donnée ou connaissance, quelle qu’en soit la forme, produite, reçue, détenue, transformée ou préservée par les organismes publics. Organismes publics: l’Etat et ses démembrements; les autorités judiciaires dans la mesure où elles accomplissent des fonctions administratives selon la législation en vigueur; les personnes morales de droit privé qui fournissent des services publics ou qui remplissent une mission de service ou d’intérêt public en vertu d’une concession, délégation ou autorisation de la part de l’Etat. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
13 | Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests. | Y/N answer 0 or 2 points | 2 | NO | 2 | Article 11. Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics présente une requête écrite à l’organisme concerné dans laquelle elle décline son identité et sa qualité. La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d’identifier l’information recherchée. Un accusé de réception est délivré au requérant. Lorsque la demande n’est pas suffisamment précise ou lorsqu’une personne requiert une assistance pour identifier le document susceptible de contenir les renseignements recherchés, le responsable est tenu de lui prêter son concours. Le requérant n’est pas tenu de motiver sa demande. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
14 | Requesters are only required to provide the details necessary for identifying and delivering the information (i.e. some form of address for delivery). | Score Max 2 points and deduct if requesters are required to give any of the following: ID number, telephone number, residential address, etc. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 11. Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics présente une requête écrite à l’organisme concerné dans laquelle elle décline son identité et sa qualité. La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d’identifier l’information recherchée. Un accusé de réception est délivré au requérant. Lorsque la demande n’est pas suffisamment précise ou lorsqu’une personne requiert une assistance pour identifier le document susceptible de contenir les renseignements recherchés, le responsable est tenu de lui prêter son concours. Le requérant n’est pas tenu de motiver sa demande. | Requirement for broader identity information. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
15 | There are clear and relatively simple procedures for making requests. Requests may be submitted by any means of communication, with no requirement to use official forms or to state that the information is being requested under the access to information law. | Max 2 points. Considerations include that there is no requirement to state that the request is under the RTI law, nor to use an official form, nor to identify the document being sought. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 11. Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics présente une requête écrite à l’organisme concerné dans laquelle elle décline son identité et sa qualité. La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d’identifier l’information recherchée. Un accusé de réception est délivré au requérant. Lorsque la demande n’est pas suffisamment précise ou lorsqu’une personne requiert une assistance pour identifier le document susceptible de contenir les renseignements recherchés, le responsable est tenu de lui prêter son concours. Le requérant n’est pas tenu de motiver sa demande. | Not quite clear. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
16 | Public officials are required to provide assistance to help requesters formulate their requests, or to contact and assist requesters where requests that have been made are vague, unduly broad or otherwise need clarification. | Score 1 point for help in formulation and 1 point for clarification procedures | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 11. Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics présente une requête écrite à l’organisme concerné dans laquelle elle décline son identité et sa qualité. La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d’identifier l’information recherchée. Un accusé de réception est délivré au requérant. Lorsque la demande n’est pas suffisamment précise ou lorsqu’une personne requiert une assistance pour identifier le document susceptible de contenir les renseignements recherchés, le responsable est tenu de lui prêter son concours. Le requérant n’est pas tenu de motiver sa demande. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
17 | Public officials are required to provide assistance to requesters who require it because of special needs, for example because they are illiterate or disabled. | Score Yes=2 point, No=0 | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
18 | Requesters are provided with a receipt or acknowledgement upon lodging a request within a reasonable timeframe, which should not exceed 5 working days. | Score 1 point for receipt, 1 point for max 5 working days | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 11. Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics présente une requête écrite à l’organisme concerné dans laquelle elle décline son identité et sa qualité. La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d’identifier l’information recherchée. Un accusé de réception est délivré au requérant. Lorsque la demande n’est pas suffisamment précise ou lorsqu’une personne requiert une assistance pour identifier le document susceptible de contenir les renseignements recherchés, le responsable est tenu de lui prêter son concours. Le requérant n’est pas tenu de motiver sa demande. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
19 | Clear and appropriate procedures are in place for situations where the authority to which a request is directed does not have the requested information. This includes an obligation to inform the requester that the information is not held and to refer the requester to another institution or to transfer the request where the public authority knows where the information is held. | Score: 1 point for information not held, 1 for referrals or 2 for transfers | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 18. Lorsqu’un organisme public est saisi d’une demande de communication portant sur une information ou un document qu’il ne détient pas, il est tenu d’orienter l’intéressé vers l’administration ou le service qui détient cette information ou ce document. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
20 | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 14. L’accès aux documents se fait au choix du demandeur et dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l’administration par: consultation gratuite sur place, sauf si la préservation du document ne le permet pas; délivrance d’une copie dans la forme ou le format souhaité sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document; courrier électronique et sans frais, lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique; tout autre mode de communication, conformément à la pratique administrative en vigueur. La délivrance d’une copie du document est subordonnée au paiement d’un montant déterminé par voie réglementaire. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
21 | Public authorities are required to respond to requests as soon as possible. | Score: No=0, Yes=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
22 | There are clear and reasonable maximum timelines (20 working days or less) for responding to requests, regardless of the manner of satisfying the request (including through publication). | Score: 1 point for timeframes of 20 working days (or 1 month, 30 days or 4 weeks). Score 2 points for 10 working days (or 15 days, or two weeks) or less. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 12. L’organisme public saisi d’une demande d’accès à une information est tenu de donner une suite à cette requête, par écrit, dans un délai maximum de trente jours à compter du jour de la réception de la demande. Les requêtes émanant des chercheurs et des journalistes professionnels sont traitées dans un délai de quinze jours. | 30 days, but 15 days in certain cases. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
23 | There are clear limits on timeline extensions (20 working days or less), including a requirement that requesters be notified and provided with the reasons for the extension. | - | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 13. Les délais prévus à l’article précédent peuvent être renouvelés une seule fois dans le cas où leur observation entraverait le fonctionnement de l’organisme, en raison soit du grand nombre de documents demandés, soit de l’ampleur des recherches à effectuer pour donner suite à la demande. A l’expiration de ces délais, il est notifié au requérant un avis de prorogation. Cet avis l’informe de son droit d’exercer un recours contre la décision de prorogation devant la Commission d’accès à l’information prévue par la présente loi. | |
3. Requesting Procedures |
24 | It is free to file requests. | Score: No=0, Yes=2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | N/A | Not stated, but implied. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
25 | There are clear rules relating to access fees, which are set centrally, rather than being determined by individual public authorities. These include a requirement that fees be limited to the cost of reproducing and sending the information (so that inspection of documents and electronic copies are free) and that a certain initial number of pages (at least 20) are provided for free. | Score 1 point for fees being limited to reproduction and delivery costs and set centrally, 1 point for at least 20 pages free of charge or for fees being optional | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 14. L’accès aux documents se fait au choix du demandeur et dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l’administration par: consultation gratuite sur place, sauf si la préservation du document ne le permet pas; délivrance d’une copie dans la forme ou le format souhaité sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document; courrier électronique et sans frais, lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique; tout autre mode de communication, conformément à la pratique administrative en vigueur. La délivrance d’une copie du document est subordonnée au paiement d’un montant déterminé par voie réglementaire. | Not quite clear - determined on a regulatory basis. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
26 | There are fee waivers for impecunious requesters. | - | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
27 | There are no limitations on or charges for reuse of information received from public bodies, except where a third party (which is not a public authority) holds a legally-protected copyright over the information. | Score: No=0, Yes=2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | N/A | Not stated, but implied. |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
28 | The standards in the RTI Law trump restrictions on information disclosure (secrecy provisions) in other legislation to the extent of any conflict. | Score 4 points for a resounding "yes" and 1/2/3 points if only for some classes of information or for some exceptions. If the state secrets law is not trumped by the RTI law max score is 2 points. | 4 | Partially | 1 | Article 7. Le droit à la communication s’applique aux documents définitifs. Le dépôt aux archives publiques des documents communicables ne fait pas obstacle au droit à la communication desdits documents. | Article 7 provides that depositing a document in the archives is not an obstacle to access, despite the fact that the Archives Law will have over broad secrecy provisions in it (so there is some degree of override of other laws there) but apart from that the RTI law does not mention its relationship with secrecy laws. |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
29 | The exceptions to the right of access are consistent with international standards. Permissible exceptions are: national security; international relations; public health and safety; the prevention, investigation and prosecution of legal wrongs; privacy; legitimate commercial and other economic interests; management of the economy; fair administration of justice and legal advice privilege; conservation of the environment; and legitimate policy making and other operations of public authorities. | Score 10 points and then deduct 1 point for each exception which either (a) falls outside of this list and/or (b) is more broadly framed | 10 | Partially | 8 | Article 8. Sont communiqués uniquement à la personne concernée, les informations ou documents: portant une appréciation ou un jugement de valeur sur sa personne; révélant le comportement d’une personne, dès lors que la divulgation de cette information pourrait lui porter préjudice; dont la communication porterait atteinte à la protection de sa vie privée, au secret médical et au secret en matière commerciale et industrielle; Toutefois, ces informations peuvent être communiquées à la personne qu’elle a mandatée à cet effet, dans le respect des textes en vigueur. Ne peuvent être communiqués ou consultés les informations ou documents publics dont la divulgation porterait atteinte: au secret des délibérations du Gouvernement et des autorités relevant du pouvoir exécutif; au secret de la défense nationale; à la conduite de la politique extérieure de l’Etat; à la sûreté de l’Etat, à la sécurité publique ou à la sécurité des personnes; à la politique monétaire et de change de l’Etat; au déroulement des procédures engagées devant les juridictions ou enquêtes préliminaires à de telles procédures, sauf autorisation donnée par l’autorité compétente; à la vie privée ou à des intérêts privés, notamment le secret en matière industrielle et commerciale, les documents mis en vente au public. | Personal value judgements, secrecy of deliberations of the government. |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
30 | A harm test applies to all exceptions, so that it is only where disclosure poses a risk of actual harm to a protected interest that it may be refused. | Score 4 points and then deduct 1 point for each exception which is not subject to the harm test | 4 | YES | 4 | Article 9. Ne peuvent être communiqués ou consultés les informations ou documents publics dont la divulgation porterait atteinte: au secret des délibérations du Gouvernement et des autorités relevant du pouvoir exécutif; au secret de la défense nationale; à la conduite de la politique extérieure de l’Etat; à la sûreté de l’Etat, à la sécurité publique ou à la sécurité des personnes; à la politique monétaire et de change de l’Etat; au déroulement des procédures engagées devant les juridictions ou enquêtes préliminaires à de telles procédures, sauf autorisation donnée par l’autorité compétente; à la vie privée ou à des intérêts privés, notamment le secret en matière industrielle et commerciale, les documents mis en vente au public. | |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
31 | There is a mandatory public interest override so that information must be disclosed where this is in the overall public interest, even if this may harm a protected interest. There are ‘hard’ overrides (which apply absolutely), for example for information about human rights, corruption or crimes against humanity. | Consider whether the override is subject to overarching limitations, whether it applies to only some exceptions, and whether it is mandatory. | 4 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
32 | Information must be released as soon as an exception ceases to apply (for example, after a contract tender process decision has been taken). The law contains a clause stating that exceptions to protect public interests do not apply to information which is over 20 years old. | Score 1 point for each | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
33 | Clear and appropriate procedures are in place for consulting with third parties who provided information which is the subject of a request on a confidential basis. Public authorities shall take into account any objections by third parties when considering requests for information, but third parties do not have veto power over the release of information. | Score: 1 point for consultation, 1 further point if original time frames must be respected and the law allows for expedited appeals. | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
34 | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 15. Si une limitation au droit d’accès s’applique à une partie des informations contenues dans un document public, l’organisme public est tenu néanmoins de communiquer les autres informations contenues dans le document. Toute occultation est notifiée au requérant. | |
4. Exceptions & Refusal |
35 | When refusing to provide access to information, public authorities must a) state the exact legal grounds and reason(s) for the refusal and b) inform the applicant of the relevant appeals procedures. | Score Y/N: 1 point for a and 1 point for b | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 13. Les délais prévus à l’article précédent peuvent être renouvelés une seule fois dans le cas où leur observation entraverait le fonctionnement de l’organisme, en raison soit du grand nombre de documents demandés, soit de l’ampleur des recherches à effectuer pour donner suite à la demande. A l’expiration de ces délais, il est notifié au requérant un avis de prorogation. Cet avis l’informe de son droit d’exercer un recours contre la décision de prorogation devant la Commission d’accès à l’information prévue par la présente loi. Article 16. La décision de refus de communication doit être écrite, motivée et notifiée au requérant. Elle indique, en outre, les voies de recours appropriées. | |
5. Appeals |
36 | The law offers an internal appeal which is simple, free of charge and completed within clear timelines (20 working days or less). | Score 2 points if the internal appeal fulfills these criteria, 1 point if an appeal is offered that does not fulfill this criteria, 0 for no internal appeals. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 22. Lorsqu’un requérant conteste la décision d’un organisme public en matière d’accès à l’information, il dispose des voies de recours suivantes: le recours hiérarchique; le recours devant la CAIDP; le recours juridictionnel. | Deadlines not stated. |
5. Appeals |
37 | Requesters have the right to lodge an (external) appeal with an independent administrative oversight body (e.g. an information commission or ombudsman). | 1 for partial, 2 for yes | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 22. Lorsqu’un requérant conteste la décision d’un organisme public en matière d’accès à l’information, il dispose des voies de recours suivantes: le recours hiérarchique; le recours devant la CAIDP; le recours juridictionnel. | |
5. Appeals |
38 | The member(s) of the oversight body are appointed in a manner that is protected against political interference and have security of tenure so that they are protected against arbitrary dismissal (procedurally/substantively) once appointed. | Score: 1 point for appointment procedure, 1 point for security of tenure | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
39 | The oversight body reports to and has its budget approved by the parliament, or other effective mechanisms are in place to protect its financial independence. | Score 1 point for reports to parliament, 1 point for budget approved by parliament | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
40 | There are prohibitions on individuals with strong political connections from being appointed to this body and requirements of professional expertise. | Score 1 point for not politically connected, 1 point for professional expertise | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
41 | The independent oversight body has the necessary mandate and power to perform its functions, including to review classified documents and inspect the premises of public bodies. | Score 1 point for reviewing classified documents, 1 point for inspection powers | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
42 | The decisions of the independent oversight body are binding. | Score N=0, Y=2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 20. La CAIDP dispose d’un pouvoir d’injonction et de sanction. En cas de non-respect de sa décision par l’organisme concerné, elle peut infliger une amende dont le montant sera fixé par décret pris en Conseil des Ministres. Sa décision est susceptible de recours devant la juridiction compétente. | |
5. Appeals |
43 | In deciding an appeal, the independent oversight body has the power to order appropriate remedies for the requester, including the declassification of information. | 1 for partial, 2 for fully | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
44 | Requesters have the right to lodge a judicial appeal. | 1 for partially, 2 for fully. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 22. Lorsqu’un requérant conteste la décision d’un organisme public en matière d’accès à l’information, il dispose des voies de recours suivantes: le recours hiérarchique; le recours devant la CAIDP; le recours juridictionnel. Article 24. Le recours juridictionnel est porté devant la juridiction administrative compétente. | |
5. Appeals |
45 | Appeals to the oversight body (where applicable, or to the judiciary if no such body exists) are free of charge and do not require legal assistance. | 1 for free, 1 for no lawyer required. | 2 | YES | 2 | N/A | Not stated, but implied. |
5. Appeals |
46 | The grounds for an external appeal are broad (including not only refusals to provide information but also refusals to provide information in the form requested, administrative silence and other breach of timelines, charging excessive fees, etc.). | Score 1 point for appealing refusals, additional points for appealing other violations. | 4 | Partially | 2 | Article 22. Lorsqu’un requérant conteste la décision d’un organisme public en matière d’accès à l’information, il dispose des voies de recours suivantes: le recours hiérarchique; le recours devant la CAIDP; le recours juridictionnel. | Not quite clear, to be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
47 | Clear procedures, including timelines, are in place for dealing with external appeals. | Score 1 point for clear procedures, 1 point for timelines. | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
48 | In the appeal process, the government bears the burden of demonstrating that it did not operate in breach of the rules. | Score Y/N and award 2 points for yes. | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | To be established by decree. |
5. Appeals |
49 | The external appellate body has the power to impose appropriate structural measures on the public authority (e.g. to conduct more training or to engage in better records management) | 1 for partial, 2 for fully. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 21. La CAIDP peut infliger une astreinte par jour de retard à l’organisme public mis en cause dans les cas suivants: le refus de réceptionner une demande sans motif légitime; le rejet d’une demande sans motivation; l’absence de réponse à une demande dans les délais prévus aux articles 12 et 13 de la présente loi. | |
6. Sanctions & Protections |
50 | Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information. | Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 25. Est puni d’une peine d’emprisonnement de trois mois à un an et d’une amende de deux cent cinquante mille à cinq cent mille francs ou de l’une de ces deux peines seulement, quiconque, sciemment: détruit, tronque ou modifie un document ou une information; falsifie un document ou établit un faux document ou fournit une fausse information. Article 26. Est puni d’une amende de cent mille à cinq cent mille francs, quiconque, sciemment: occulte un document ou une information; fait obstruction de quelque manière que ce soit à la délivrance de document ou d’information. Encourent les mêmes peines, les coauteurs et complices des infractions citées aux articles 25 et 26 de la présente loi. | |
6. Sanctions & Protections |
51 | There is a system for redressing the problem of public authorities which systematically fail to disclose information or underperform (either through imposing sanctions on them or requiring remedial actions of them). | Score 1 point for either remedial action or sanctions, 2 points for both | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 21. La CAIDP peut infliger une astreinte par jour de retard à l’organisme public mis en cause dans les cas suivants: le refus de réceptionner une demande sans motif légitime; le rejet d’une demande sans motivation; l’absence de réponse à une demande dans les délais prévus aux articles 12 et 13 de la présente loi. | |
6. Sanctions & Protections |
52 | The independent oversight body and its staff are granted legal immunity for acts undertaken in good faith in the exercise or performance of any power, duty or function under the RTI Law. Others are granted similar immunity for the good faith release of information pursuant to the RTI Law. | Score 1 for oversight body, 1 for immunity for others | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
6. Sanctions & Protections |
53 | There are legal protections against imposing sanctions on those who, in good faith, release information which discloses wrongdoing (i.e. whistleblowers). | Score 2 for strong protections, 1 for moderate protections | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
7. Promotional Measures |
54 | Public authorities are required to appoint officials (information officers) or units with dedicated responsibilities for ensuring that they comply with their information disclosure obligations. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 10. Les organismes publics sont tenus de désigner en leur sein un responsable de l’information. La personne ayant la plus haute autorité au sein d’un organisme public exerce les fonctions que la présente loi confère à la personne responsable de l’accès aux documents. Toutefois, cette personne peut désigner comme responsable un membre de l’organisme public ou un membre de son personnel de direction et lui déléguer tout ou partie de ses attributions. Cette délégation est faite par écrit, et son auteur en transmet copie à la Commission d’accès à l’information prévue par la présente loi. | |
7. Promotional Measures |
55 | A central body, such as an information commission(er) or government department, is given overall responsibility for promoting the right to information. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 19. Il est créé une Autorité Administrative Indépendante dénommée Commission d’Accès à l’Information d’intérêt Public et aux Documents Publics, en abrégé CAIDP, chargée de veiller au respect et à l’application des dispositions de la présente loi. L’organisation, les attributions et le fonctionnement de la CAIDP sont fixés par décret. | CAIDP. |
7. Promotional Measures |
56 | Public awareness-raising efforts (e.g. producing a guide for the public or introducing RTI awareness into schools) are required to be undertaken by law. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
7. Promotional Measures |
57 | A system is in place whereby minimum standards regarding the management of records are set and applied. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 5. Les organismes publics doivent conserver et gérer leurs données. | Very general reference. |
7. Promotional Measures |
58 | Public authorities are required to create and update lists or registers of the documents in their possession, and to make these public. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
7. Promotional Measures |
59 | Training programs for officials are required to be put in place. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
7. Promotional Measures |
60 | Public authorities are required to report annually on the actions they have taken to implement their disclosure obligations. This includes statistics on requests received and how they were dealt with. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
7. Promotional Measures |
61 | A central body, such as an information commission(er) or government department, has an obligation to present a consolidated report to the legislature on implementation of the law. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
