Ramallah 28/09/2016: today marks the International Right to know Day, on this occasion, “KHABIRNI” Coalition for the Right to Access Information in Palestine, reaffirm the importance of empowering people to knowledge through the adoption of a modern law that allows access to information, as a cornerstone of consecration of freedom of opinion and expression and the principles of democracy in Palestine, passing access to information law will inevitably enable Palestinian public, inter- alia actively participate in public affairs, anti-corruption, ensure a culture of transparency and accountability in managing public affairs.

 

 

Noting,  in this regard, that the right to access information law draft, with a debate since 4 years, and been submitted to the Palestinian Council of Ministers, particularly that it passed all required stages of consultations and discussions with the participation and engagement of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, journalists, lawyers and the Palestinian anti-corruption commission, in a preceded step before submitting it to the Palestinian President, for approval through a presidential decree due to the absence of the Palestinian legislative Council.

 

 

We would like to note that the world is celebrating this year the anniversary of the passage of 250 years since the adoption of the first law on the right to access information by the Kingdom of Sweden and Finland, and that 109 countries across the world adopted laws in this regard, including three Arab countries: (Jordan, Tunisia and Yemen).

 

We “khabirni” coalition hope that Palestine, would be the fourth Arab country to adopt such  law in harmony with the Palestine obligation to take legislative and non-legislative measures to ensure the realization of the rights recognized in international conventions, ratified by Palestine in 2014, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, noting that it was included in the sustainable development goals of the United Nations last year.

 

Thus, we believe that there is no justification for delaying or postponing passing the law, due to our belief and faith (including a wide range of public and civil society institutions and popular bodies share with us the same view) that passing right to access information law will guarantee for all Palestinian citizens actively contribution in public life and enhance integrity, anti-corruption, besides, it will assist any government that seek openness and reform.

Constituent organizations  of the coalition:

 

Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA”

Coalition for Accountability & integrity (AMAN)

Al-Haq Foundation

Media Development Center – Birzeit University

Palestinian Journalist Syndicate