Access4All

Project description:

The right to access information is considered a basic human right since it is one of the foundations for democracy, transparency, and accountability, allowing citizens to seek and receive information necessary for making informed decisions, participating in democratic processes, and holding those in power accountable. It is also essential for ensuring the protection of other human rights, such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to a fair trial. Despite the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina have an established legal framework that recognizes the right to access information of public interest, there are numerous obstacles for citizens, civil society and media to effectively and timely access information necessary for protection of their rights or for ensuring accountability of public institutions. The state and entity-level legislation are not fully harmonised, providing different means of protection of rights, as well as institutional oversight, which is ineffective and does not provide sufficient level of accountability for institutions who violate the laws.

The Overall Objective of the Project is: to promote and strengthen the right to access to information and improve citizens access to information of public interest. Special Objectives of the Project includes:

• Improved implementation of laws of free access to information, focusing on monitoring of implementation of ombudsman recommendations, court rulings, and other legal instruments;
• Improved legislative framework for free access to information, with a special focus on establishing more effective oversight mechanism;
• Provided pro-active legal assistance to citizens, activists, media, and civil society organizations in protecting their rights to access information;
• Raised citizens awareness on their rights to access information of public interest, provided tools to access institutions and increased number of citizens and organizations demanding information and using their legal rights to seek redress;
• Strengthened capacities of civil society organizations and media to initiate administrative measures in requesting information and using it to promote transparency and accountability.

Expected project results:

• Strengthened oversight of the implementation of right to access to information, both when it comes to CSO and institutional oversight
• Increased awareness among citizens of their rights to access to information
• Increased demand toward public institutions for transparency
• Improved capacity of civil society organizations and media to initiate administrative measures in requesting information
• Improved protection of citizens’ rights through legal assistance
• Improved implementation of laws on free access information

Increased public participation and pressure for accountability and transparency of public institutions.