Bridging Information Across Nations: Concretizing the Global Role of Access to Information for Democratic Preservation, Inclusivity, and Development
The members of the International Conference of Information Commissioners, gathered on June 21, 2023, during the 14th Edition of their Annual Conference, held virtually and in the City of Manila, Philippines, issue the following statement:
Recalling that, in accordance with the Johannesburg Charter, the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) is a global network which allows international cooperation between member authorities responsible for protecting and promoting people’s Access to Information (ATI), through capacity building and the exchange of experiences and best practices on basis of the principles of inclusion, universality, maximum publicity, responsibility, ethics and accessibility. respect and accountability.
Considering that the ATI is enshrined in several international and regional human rights treaties, including: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the United Nations Convention against Corruption; the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; the American Convention on Human Rights; the European Convention on Human Rights; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Human Rights Declaration; the Convention on Access to Official Documents from the Council of Europe; the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement), the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, among others.
Noting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, includes the target 16.10 which aims to ensure ATI and the protection of fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements, urging countries to adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for ATI.
Recognizing the importance of guaranteeing ATI and the protection of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, in accordance with national legislation, policies, and international instruments, as fundamental pillars to social, economic and democratic governance.
Recalling that the Tashkent Declaration on Universal Access to Information highlighted the important role played by independent oversight bodies, such as information commissioners, in ensuring the implementation of legal frameworks for ATI. In addition, it also recognized the challenges that come with using the Internet and digital platforms to create an enabling, secure, and inclusive environment for the ATI.
Highlighting that the successful implementation of ATI requires that guarantor bodies operate independently at every level of jurisdiction, as this ensures that all individuals, regardless of their location or position, have ATI.
Emphasizing that building the capacity of public authorities and strengthening civil society and individuals to exercise their rights are crucial for promoting the ATI and transparency.
Recognizing that the emergence and use of new technologies, while bringing many great economic and social benefits, has the potential to create new governance challenges including the potential to exacerbate inequality gaps between various sectors of the population.
Recognizing the role played by civil society and media in promoting and supporting the effective implementation of ATI to empower the citizens.
Recognizing that all ATI guarantor bodies have a crucial role to play in contributing to the bigger community of ATI practitioners. Link
