TI BIH appeals to the Brčko District Assembly: Enable public discussion on the new Freedom of Information Act

Banja Luka, 03. June 2025: Transparency International BiH has requested the Brčko District Assembly of BiH to submit the draft Freedom of Information Act for public discussion to improve provisions, protect citizens’ rights, and enable the involvement of a broader interested public.

The content of this law directly affects citizens’ rights to access information of public importance, as well as the work of journalists and civil society organizations that monitor government activities. In recent days, we have received several reactions and warnings that the proposed solution will further enable authorities to hide information of public interest.

This regulation concerns all citizens for whom it is the only mechanism to obtain information under the control of public authorities. Unfortunately, the proposed solution eliminates the possibility of appealing the decision of the authority from which information is requested, so those who wish to protect their rights will have to engage in legal proceedings, incurring additional costs for legal representation, court fees, etc., leading to a high likelihood that some will give up at the outset.

The publication of this draft law has caused negative reactions in the public and media due to contentious provisions that limit the right to appeal, prescribe misdemeanor provisions that will not have practical effects, ignore existing administrative procedure procedures, and potentially prevent effective oversight of public authorities’ actions.

Precisely because of the significance and potential impact of the law on citizens, journalists, and activists, it is necessary for the adoption process to be open, inclusive, and transparent, allowing all interested parties to present their proposals and suggestions.

TI BiH believes that by submitting the law for public discussion, the Brčko District authorities of BiH would send an important message that they respect the principles of democratic decision-making and uphold citizens’ rights to participate in decision-making and shaping public policies.

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