Jordan
Name and date of law assessed: Law No.47/2007 Law Guaranteeing the Right to Obtain Information as amended by Law No. (3) of 2024, Amending the Law on the Right of Access to Information
RTI law first adopted: 2007
RTI Law last modified: 2024-04
RTI Rating last updated: 2026-06
RTI law first adopted: 2007
RTI Law last modified: 2024-04
RTI Rating last updated: 2026-06
Introduction
The 2024 amendments to the law improved its score by 13 points which is quite impressive. However, the overall score remains at only 46% of the possible total, leaving Jordan firmly in the botton one-third of all countries. Scope is by far the strongest category. Requesting procedures remains far weaker than it should be, and the exceptions remain far too broad, despite some important improvements, most notably the addition of a public interest override. Despite adding a few independent voices to the oversight Council, it remains firmly in government hands (ie is not independent). And there are still no sanctions or protections in the law.| id | Section | Points | Max score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right of Access | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Scope | 24 | 30 |
| 3 | Requesting Procedures | 13 | 30 |
| 4 | Exceptions & Refusal | 11 | 30 |
| 5 | Appeals | 11 | 30 |
| 6 | Sanctions & Protections | 1 | 8 |
| 7 | Promotional Measures | 9 | 16 |
| ∑ = 70 | ∑ = 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 | Not mentioned | There is no constitutional guarantee of the right to information. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 7(a) Every Jordanian natural or legal person shall have the right to obtain information upon request in accordance with the provisions of this Law, provided that a legitimate interest or purpose exists. | Conditioned on having a legitimate interest in the information. |
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 | 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 | Partially | 1 | 7(a) Every Jordanian natural or legal person shall have the right to obtain information upon request in accordance with the provisions of this Law, provided that a legitimate interest or purpose exists. (b) A non-Jordanian natural or legal person residing in the Kingdom may obtain information upon request in accordance with the provisions of this Law, provided that a legitimate interest or purpose exists and subject to the principle of reciprocity. | Covers legal and natural persons, but foreigners only on a reciprocal basis. |
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 | 3 | 2. Information: All written data, records, statistics, or materials that are documented, imaged, or electronically stored in any form, whether managed electronically or otherwise, and falling within the jurisdiction of the Official. | Seems to be quite broad although "oral" information has been removed (appropriately). But is limited to information falling within the jurisdiction of the body. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 7(a) Every Jordanian natural or legal person shall have the right to obtain information upon request in accordance with the provisions of this Law, provided that a legitimate interest or purpose exists. (b) A non-Jordanian natural or legal person residing in the Kingdom may obtain information upon request in accordance with the provisions of this Law, provided that a legitimate interest or purpose exists and subject to the principle of reciprocity. | Although this provision refers to "information", in practice the right is limited to documents (i.e. there is no right to have information from different documents compiled). |
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 | 6 | Department: Any ministry, public department, public institution, official public body, trade unions, political party, or any entity managing a public facility, or receiving funding partially or in whole from the State’s general budget or from any foreign entity. | Covers public authorities broadly but does not necessarily cover bodies which are owned or controlled by them. |
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 | YES | 4 | Department: Any ministry, public department, public institution, official public body, trade unions, political party, or any entity managing a public facility, or receiving funding partially or in whole from the State’s general budget or from any foreign entity. | The legislature is considered to be a "public institution". |
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 | YES | 4 | Department: Any ministry, public department, public institution, official public body, trade unions, political party, or any entity managing a public facility, or receiving funding partially or in whole from the State’s general budget or from any foreign entity. | The courts are considered to be "public institutions". |
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 | YES | 2 | Department: Any ministry, public department, public institution, official public body, trade unions, political party, or any entity managing a public facility, or receiving funding partially or in whole from the State’s general budget or from any foreign entity. | Although it is not quite clear from the language, it has been interpreted to cover State-owned enterprises. |
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 | YES | 2 | Department: Any ministry, public department, public institution, official public body, trade unions, political party, or any entity managing a public facility, or receiving funding partially or in whole from the State’s general budget or from any foreign entity. | These are considered to be "public institutions". |
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 | Partially | 1 | Department: Any ministry, public department, public institution, official public body, trade unions, political party, or any entity managing a public facility, or receiving funding partially or in whole from the State’s general budget or from any foreign entity. | Now explicitly covers trade unions, political parties and bodies which receive public funding. But as this still does not cover all bodies which perform public functions, the score remains at one point. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
13 | Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests. | Y/N answer 0 or 2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | 9(b) Requests for access to information shall be submitted in writing or electronically using the approved form for this purpose, which must include the applicant’s name, nationality, and place of residence for a natural person, or the registered address for a legal person, along with the subject of the requested information. | Better practice would be to specifically rule out asking for reasons but these are not included in the list of informaiton that is required so benefit of the doubt given. |
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 | NO | 0 | 9(b) Requests for access to information shall be submitted in writing or electronically using the approved form for this purpose, which must include the applicant’s name, nationality, and place of residence for a natural person, or the registered address for a legal person, along with the subject of the requested information. | Need to provide name, nationality and address. |
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 | 6. The Commissioner of Information shall assume the following functions and powers: 2. Prepare forms for requesting access to information, in written and electronic formats, and submit them to the Council. 9(b) Requests for access to information shall be submitted in writing or electronically using the approved form for this purpose .... | Requests can be made both on paper and electronically, but you do need to use the form. |
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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
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 | 9(g)The specialized officer shall provide appropriate facilities for persons with disabilities, illiterate persons, and older persons to access the requested information. | There is some accomodation in terms of how to access information but not in terms of making requests. |
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 | 9(c) The designated person must provide the applicant with an acknowledgment of receipt upon receiving the request. | Not mentioned. |
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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
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 | Partially | 1 | 9(g)The specialized officer shall provide appropriate facilities for persons with disabilities, illiterate persons, and older persons to access the requested information. 11. ... The applicant shall be shown the information if it is kept in a manner which is impossible to copy or photocopy. | There is some accomodation of those living with disabilities or illiteracy in terms of how to access information and a very limited rule on access if it is not possible to copy but no real system here. |
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 | 9(d) The designated person shall respond to the request, either by approval or denial, within fifteen (15) working days from the day following the date of submission. | No mention of as soon as possible. |
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 | 9(d) The designated person shall respond to the request, either by approval or denial, within fifteen (15) working days from the day following the date of submission. | 15 days. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 9(d) The designated person shall respond to the request, either by approval or denial, within fifteen (15) working days from the day following the date of submission. This period may be extended once only for an additional ten (10) days, provided there are justified reasons. | Extensions are limited but the grounds are very open ("justified reasons"), and there is no requirement to notify requesters of this, giving them reasons. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
24 | It is free to file requests. | Score: No=0, Yes=2 points | 2 | YES | 2 | Not mentioned | The constitution prohibits charging fees for services of this sort. |
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 | YES | 2 | 11. The applicant shall bear the cost appertaining to photocopying or copying the requested information through technical means. The applicant shall be shown the information if it is kept in a manner which is impossible to copy or photocopy. 17. The amount of any consideration charged by the department in return for photocopying the requested information or copying of same shall be specified by a decision of the the Council upon recommendation of the President. See also Council of Ministers Decision number 502 of 23 January 2008. | The rules are set centrally and seem to be limited to reproduction. Also 10 pages of free copies are provided. |
3. Requesting Procedures |
26 | There are fee waivers for impecunious requesters. | - | 2 | NO | 0 | 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 | Partially | 1 | 8(b) The information that has been published, disclosed, or delivered to the requester by the competent authorities may be used or reused, provided that the date of acquisition and the source are cited, and that the content is not altered, in accordance with the provisions of the Document Indexing and Classification System issued pursuant to the provisions of this law. | The right to reuse is protected, but there are prohibitions on not altering the content. |
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 | NO | 0 | 2. Classified Documents: Any written, printed, stenographic, or electronically stored materials, including but not limited to minutes, records, papers, photographs, films, maps, diagrams, drawings, or similar, which are classified as official documents pursuant to applicable legislation. See also Information and Document Indexing and Classification Bylaw No. (71) /2025. | The explicit reference in the old law, Article 13(c) to secrets protected by other laws has been removed. But it is clear from the definitions and the Bylaw on Classification that these documents will not be relesaed. |
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 | 7 | 10. It is not permissible to request the information which prompts the imprinting of religious, racial, ethnic, or discrimination due to gender or colour. 12(a) The responsible official shall refrain from disclosing information related to the following: 2. Information whose disclosure would harm … the State’s foreign policy. 5. Private and confidential correspondence, whether postal, telegraphic, telephonic, electronic, or through any other technological means, exchanged between government entities and their responses. | |
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 | NO | 0 | 12(a) The responsible official shall refrain from disclosing information related to the following: 1. Documents obtained from another State pursuant to an agreement providing for confidentiality. 3. Information containing analyses, recommendations, proposals, or consultations submitted to the official prior to a decision being made, including correspondence and information exchanged between different government departments. 6. Information whose disclosure would impact negotiations between the Kingdom and any other State or entity. 7. Investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution, judicial authorities or security agencies regarding any crime or case within their jurisdiction, as well as investigations conducted by the competent authorities for the purpose of uncovering financial, customs, or banking violations, unless disclosure is authorized by the competent authority. | |
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 | Partially | 2 | 12(b) The Council may decide that public interest requires the disclosure of information referred to in Paragraph (a) of this Article, except for items (1), (2), (6), and (7). (c) The exceptions in Paragraph (a) of this Article shall not apply to information related to human rights violations, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. | 12(c) establishes a very positive, hard override for human rights and so on. 12(b) establishes a discretionary override, exercised only by the Council, and covering only one-half of the exceptions. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 18. The Council of Ministers shall issue the necessary by-laws required for carrying out the provisions of this Law including a regulation which defines the protected documents that may be revealed and on which a minimum period of thirty years of retaining them has elapsed. See also Information and Document Indexing and Classification Bylaw No. (71) /2025. | There does seem to be some intention to establish sunset clauses but this is set at a minimum of 30 years and the rules on this in the Bylaw are pretty vague. |
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 | 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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | The severability clause which was in 11(b) has been removed, perhaps inadvertently. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 9(e) Any decision rejecting the request shall be reasoned and deemed a formal rejection. Failure to respond within the prescribed period shall be deemed an implicit rejection. (f) If the requested information is unavailable or has been destroyed due to the passage of time, this shall be communicated to the applicant. | Need to provide reasons but not information about appeals. |
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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
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 | 4. The Council shall be vested with the following duties and powers: e. Examine objections and complaints submitted by applicants for information and decide upon them. 16(b) The applicant may file a complaint against the responsible official to the Council through the Information Commissioner in case his application has been rejected or if the responsible official refrains from giving the requested information within the period provided for legally. | Right to appeal to the Council. However, this does not appear to be coordinated well, in terms of time, with the possibility of a court appeal. |
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 | 3. A Council on Information shall be established, chaired by the Minister of Culture, and composed of the following members: 1. The Commissioner of Information – Deputy Chair. 2. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice. 3. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior. 4. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Government Communication. 5. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. 6. The Director General of the Department of Statistics. 7. The Director General of the Military Intelligence within the Jordanian Armed Forces. 8. The Commissioner-General for Human Rights. 9. The President of the Jordanian Press Association. 10. The President of the Jordanian Bar Association. 11. Two representatives of specialized civil society organizations appointed by the Prime Minister for a term of two years. | Positively, a number of independent representatives have been added to the Council. However, it still clearly fails to meet the standards of independence required under international law. And there is no mention of the tenure of the independent representatives. |
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 | Not mentioned | The Council is chaired by the Minister of Culture and there is no notion of independent reporting to parliament. |
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 | Not mentioned | Many of the members of the Council are explicitly political actors. |
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 | Not mentioned | |
5. Appeals |
42 | The decisions of the independent oversight body are binding. | Score N=0, Y=2 points | 2 | Partially | 1 | 4. The Council shall be vested with the following duties and powers: e. Examine objections and complaints submitted by applicants for information and decide upon them. | The reference to the Council "deciding" upon complaints suggests that this might be binding but it is not clear. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 4. The Council shall be vested with the following duties and powers: e. Examine objections and complaints submitted by applicants for information and decide upon them. | Again, there is the power to "decide" complaints but what exactly this means is not clear. |
5. Appeals |
44 | Requesters have the right to lodge a judicial appeal. | 1 for partially, 2 for fully. | 2 | YES | 2 | 16(a) The Administrative Court shall be competent to review the decision of rejecting the obtainment of information provided that the lawsuit be presented by the applicant against the responsible official within (30) days as of the day following the date of expiry of the period granted in accordance with this Law to accept, reject the application or refrain from replying thereon. | Right of appeal in to the courts, but only for rejection of an appeal (right to appeal to the Council is broader). |
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 | Not mentioned | The law does not mention this but fees are likely precluded by the Constitution and in practice it has never been necessary to have a lawyer to conduct an appeal before the Council |
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 | 16(b) The applicant may file a complaint against the responsible official to the Council through the Information Commissioner in case his application has been rejected or if the responsible official refrains from giving the requested information within the period provided for legally. | Only for rejections and delays. Note that appeals to the courts are even narrower. |
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 | Partially | 1 | 16(c) The Council should issue its decision on the complaint within thirty days from the date of its receipt. | Only timelines for now but in the past the Council did adopt more detailed rules on this. |
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 | Not mentioned | |
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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
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 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
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 | 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 | Partially | 1 | See Integrity and Anti-Corruption Law, No. 13 of 2016 | Some powers to protect those who expose corruption, and criminal penalties for exposing them, but no comprehensive legislation in this area. |
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 | 9(a) Each department shall designate a competent person to receive and follow up on requests for information. | |
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 | 4. The Council shall be vested with the following duties and powers: a. Ensure the provision of information to those requesting it in accordance with the provisions of the Law. b. Develop the necessary plans and strategies to guarantee access to information and supervise the Council’s operations. c. Promote awareness of the right to knowledge and access to information. h. Propose draft laws, regulations, and instructions pertaining to access to information. | |
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 | Partially | 1 | 4. The Council shall be vested with the following duties and powers: c. Promote awareness of the right to knowledge and access to information. | Some limited responsibiltiies of the Council in this area. |
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 | 13. Each department shall catalog and organize information and documents available to it in accordance with applicable professional standards, classifying what must be considered confidential or protected under applicable legislation, in accordance with a classification and cataloguing mechanism and retention periods to be determined by a regulation issued for this purpose. | This is a basic records management system but not a proper, fully-developed system. |
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 | Not mentioned | Authorities are apparently required to make these lists, but they are not public, so they do not support access to information. |
7. Promotional Measures |
59 | Training programs for officials are required to be put in place. | Score Y/N, Y=2 points | 2 | NO | 0 | 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 | Partially | 1 | 6. The Commissioner of Information shall assume the following functions and powers: c. Prepare reports on requests submitted to departments, the timelines for responding to them, and procedures for appeals and complaints. e. Receive reports from each department on the information requests. f. Prepare an annual report on the Council's work, including the Council's recommendations and statistical data on the number of information requests, the entities from which such information is requested, the number of objections and complaints submitted by information seekers and decisions issued thereon, and submit it to the Council. | This seems, indirectly, to create an obligation for each public authority to report to the Commissioner on its complaints, at least, but that is not stated clearly and the scope of this is quite narrow. |
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 | YES | 2 | 4. The Council shall be vested with the following duties and powers: f. Approve the annual report on the Council’s work. g. Submit the annual report to the Prime Minister and the Parliament, and publish it on the Council’s website. 6. The Commissioner of Information shall assume the following functions and powers: c. Prepare reports on requests submitted to departments, the timelines for responding to them, and procedures for appeals and complaints. e. Receive reports from each department on the information requests. f. Prepare an annual report on the Council's work, including the Council's recommendations and statistical data on the number of information requests, the entities from which such information is requested, the number of objections and complaints submitted by information seekers and decisions issued thereon, and submit it to the Council. | In contrast to the previous situation, these reports are now public. |
