CHRI launches 'Open Sesame' report on access to information

The International Advisory Commission of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative's biennial report, Open Sesame: Looking for the Right to Information in the Commonwealth, was launched on December 2nd at the Protea Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria.

A seminar was held immediately prior to the launch, which drew in over 70 attendees largely from national and international civil society organisations, as well as a strong media presence. In the speeches at the seminar, case studies were presented from Ghana, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and India and discussions held on the value of the right. Examples of effective legislation and the regressive impact of bad access laws, and advocacy techniques were also discussed. Maja Daruwala, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, welcomed the participants and the seminar was chaired by Chairperson Justice Emile Short of the Commission on Human & Administrative Justice, Ghana. Other speakers were Murray Burt and Sam Okudzeto, both from CHRI's Advisory Commission; a representative of Bukhari Bello, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria; Sarah Chiumbu, MISA Zimbabwe; Clare Doube, CHRI, India and Bernice Sam, CHRI, Ghana. The book was finally launched by Hon. Abdul Oroh, Dep. Chairperson, Human Rights Committee, House of Representatives of Nigeria.

The report recognises information as 'power' and advocates that, in the spirit of democracy, equality and good governance, it should be shared freely by all without barrier. The realisation of the right to access information is essential for the Commonwealth at a time when it is facing a deficit of democracy and development. It is crucial to empowering people to more meaningfully engage in the democratic and development processes, increase government transparency and reduce corruption. The report provides law-makers, advocates and the general public with guidance on drafting and implementing freedom of information legislation.

The first chapter of the report emphasises the value and the importance of accessing information as a matter of right, followed by a chapter on the need for balancing the scales of power through effective legislations. Best practice and international standards for Commonwealth nations to draw upon are cited here. Chapter three focuses on operationalising the law - although legislation is a valuable step towards putting in place an access regime, it is not enough and the law must be effectively implemented. This chapter stresses the need to removing obstacles to open governance, the need for requires independent arbiters to monitor performance, adjudicate conflict, educate the public and promote good practice and training within bureaucracies. The last section deals with civil society advocacy experiences that are sources of inspiration for other groups across the Commonwealth to emulate.

As with all CHRI reports, recommendations are given to provide direction to the Commonwealth as an association, individual member countries and civil society. These include urging member countries to introduce liberal access to information laws by no later than CHOGM 2005 and calling upon the agencies of the Commonwealth to act as role models by introducing disclosure policies.

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