rti bangladesh

8/19/2019 Rti Bangladesh

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Right to InformationRight to Information

presentationpresentation

Venkatesh Nayak Venkatesh Nayak

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

byby

A Power Tool for CitizensA Power Tool for Citizens

wwwhumanrightsinitiativeorgwwwhumanrightsinitiativeorg


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%imiting &a#tors ' Corruption( )pa#ity * %a#k ofA##ountability

( Excerpts from - Preparation of PRSP : A Status Report, Govt. of Bangladesh, July 1, !""#

Re+uirements of Re+uirements of

!oo" !overnan#e '!oo" !overnan#e ',among others-

Transparency andaccountability should beensuredOfcial Secrecy Act Shouldbe modernised

75 – 90% people experience corruption when isitin! !ot"ofces

#irst cause $or people notreceiin! scheduled serices$rom !ot" departments

%a#k of%a#k of

transparen#y an"transparen#y an"a##ountabilitya##ountability #irst reason $or noncooperation in !ot"departments


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!oo" !overnan#e *!oo" !overnan#e *

The .illennium /e#larationThe .illennium /e#laration

&'e will spare no e(ort to $ree our $ellow men) womenand children $rom the ab*ect and dehumani+in!conditions o$ extreme poerty) to which more than abillion o$ them are currently sub*ected,

'e resole there$ore to create an enironment – at thenational and !lobal leels ali.e – which is conducie todeelopment and to the elimination o$ poerty"

Success in meetin! these ob*ecties depends) inter alia)on goo" governan#e within each country"/

(Adopted in September 2000 by 190+ member countries of

the


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0ey Attributes of0ey Attributes of

!oo" !overnan#e!oo" !overnan#e

Transparency esponsibility

Accountability

1articipation and

esponsieness 2to the needs o$ thepeople3

&4ood !oernance creates an enablin! enironment

conducie to the en*oyment o$ human ri!hts andprompts !rowth and sustainable human deelopment"/

2UN Commission on Human Rights – Charter Body attached to ECOSOC that monitorshuman rights situation in all member countries of the UN)

!anladesh #ill become a member of $%&S&% in 200'


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!oo" !overnan#e an"!oo" !overnan#e an"

1ustainable /evelopment1ustainable /evelopment ach country has the primary responsibility $or its own

sustainable deelopment"

All countries should stren!then !oernmental institutions byproidin! necessary in$rastructure and by promoting transparen#y) a##ountability and fair a"ministrative and

2u"i#ial institutions" They should also $oster full publi# parti#ipation in sustainable

deelopment policy $ormulation and implementation"

3 ohannesbur )lan of *mplementation of Aenda 21

orld Summit on Sustainable ,eelopment (.io+10 Summit" /

2002

All countries should promote public participation) includin!throu!h measures that provi"e a##ess to information re!ardin! le!islation) re!ulations) actiities) policies and

pro!rammes,


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$angla"esh rea#ts after 411/

5nvironment an" &orest .inister 1ha2ahan 1ira2 said that6an!ladesh drew wide attention in the recently held 'orld

Summit on Sustainable eelopment 2'SS3 by $ocusin! theissues o$ its concern"

Sira* said the 'SS has set speci8c tar!ets in most o$ the issueso$ enironment and sustainable deelopment and &we beliee we

will be able to attain the tar!et with the assistance o$deelopment partners and inolement o$ al our people"/

uamrul :slam ;howdhury) ;hairman) #orum o$ nironmental


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#or ma.in! deelopment and democracy mutually rein$orcin!;ommonwealth 4oernments should commit to ensurin! that the

certain core institutions exist in their own countries and are $ully heldto account

&a $reedom o$ in$ormation commission$reedom o$ in$ormation commission that enables the public to !ainaccess to in$ormation about executie decisions and allowsindiiduals to access in$ormation held about them by the police and

public bodies"/

2amon! others 3

&,$reedom o$ in$ormation enhances accountability o$ the!oernment improes decisionma.in! , and proides a power$ul aidin the 8!ht a!ainst corruption/

;ommuni>u? $rom the ;ommonwealth @aw inistersB eetin!) C999;ommuni>u? $rom the ;ommonwealth @aw inistersB eetin!) C999

&1ublic participation in the democratic and !oernmental process most meanin!$ul when citi+ens hae ade>uate access to ofcialin$ormation/

;ommuni>u? $rom the ;ommonwealth @aw inistersB eetin!) C9D0

Report of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Democracy and Development, 2003Report of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Democracy and Development, 2003

!anladesh is a member of the %ommon#ealth

/emo#ra#y


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right

Right to information ' ine6tri#ably #onne#te"Right to information ' ine6tri#ably #onne#te"

with the right to free"om of opinion( spee#h *with the right to free"om of opinion( spee#h *

e6pressione6pression

eryone has theri!ht to $reedom o$opinion andexpressionE

this ri!ht includes$reedom , to seekrecei!e and im"art

information

7niversal7niversal

/e#laration of/e#laration ofHuman RightsHuman Rights 2Art" C93

InternationalInternational

Covenant on CivilCovenant on Civil

an" Politi#al Rightsan" Politi#al Rights 2Art" C93

,$angla"esh a##e"e" to the ICCPR in /e#ember


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Right to information * 5:1 Rights

,$angla"esh a##e"e" to the IC51CR in ;anuary

Right to 4aterRight to 4ater

Accessibility to water includesAccessibility to water includes in$ormation accessibilityin$ormation accessibility i"e")i"e") ri!htri!htto see. receie and impart in$ormationto see. receie and impart in$ormation concernin! water issuesconcernin! water issues

:;S; 4eneral ;omment FC5) G00G HArt" 2932c

:ndiiduals and !roups should be !ien $ull and e>ual access to

in$ormation concernin! water) water serices and theenironment) held by public authorities or third parties:;S; 4eneral ;omment FC5) G00G HArt"

:;S; 4eneral ;omment FCG) C999 HArt"

States hae an obli!ation to $ormulate and implement nationalStates hae an obli!ation to $ormulate and implement nationalstrate!ies $or the ri!ht to $ood in $ull compliance with thestrate!ies $or the ri!ht to $ood in $ull compliance with theprinciples o$principles o$ accountability) transparency) peopleBs participationaccountability) transparency) peopleBs participation,,

Right to A"e+uate &oo"Right to A"e+uate &oo"


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Right to HealthRight to Health

Accessibility to the hi!hest attainable standard o$ health includesAccessibility to the hi!hest attainable standard o$ health includes

in$ormation accessibilityin$ormation accessibility i"e")i"e") ri!ht to see. receie and impartri!ht to see. receie and impartin$ormationin$ormation concernin! health issues sub*ect to con8dentiality o$concernin! health issues sub*ect to con8dentiality o$in$ormation about personal healthin$ormation about personal health:;S; 4eneral ;omment FCK) G00G HArt" 2CG32

:;S; 4eneral ;omment FCK) G00G HArt"

i!ht to maternal child and reproductie health includesi!ht to maternal child and reproductie health includes access toaccess to

in$ormationin$ormation 2on these issues32on these issues3

State 1arties hae a duty to ensure that third parties do not limitState 1arties hae a duty to ensure that third parties do not limitpeopleBspeopleBs access to health related in$ormationaccess to health related in$ormation and sericesand serices

:;S; 4eneral ;omment FCK) G00G HArt"

State 1arties hae an obli!ation to proide education andState 1arties hae an obli!ation to proide education and accessaccessto in$ormationto in$ormation concernin! the main health problems in theconcernin! the main health problems in thecommunity includin! methods o$ preentin! and controllin! themcommunity includin! methods o$ preentin! and controllin! them

:;S; 4eneral ;omment FCK) G00G HArt" 2KK


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Right to A"e+uateRight to A"e+uate

HousingHousing

:n the case o$ eictions appropriate procedural protection and due:n the case o$ eictions appropriate procedural protection and dueprocess o$ law includesprocess o$ law includes in$ormationin$ormation on the proposed eiction andon the proposed eiction andthe alternatie purpose $or which that land or housin! is to bethe alternatie purpose $or which that land or housin! is to beusedused :;S; 4eneral ;omment F7) C997 HArt"

Right to 5"u#ationRight to 5"u#ation

State 1arties hae an obli!ation to maintain a transparent ande(ectie system which monitors whether or not education isdirected to the educational ob*ecties set out 2in the ;oenant3

:;S; 4eneral ;omment FCI) C999 HArt"K9) 5K

State 1arties hae an obli!ation to maintain a transparent ande(ectie system to monitor educational standards in educationalinstitutions" Monadherence to this duty is iolation o$ rt" toeducation


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Right to information in C5/A4

1tate Parties must guarantee allwomen on a non:"is#riminatory

basis :

Access to specific educational information to help to ensure thehealth and well-being of families, including information and adviceon family planning. HArt" C02h3J

For rural women in particular, ensure the right to have access toadequate health care facilities, including information, counsellingand services in family planning HArt" CK2b3J

Eliminate discrimination against women in matters relating tomarriage and family relations and ensure the right to decide freelyand responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and tohave access to the information, education and means to enablethem to exercise these rights HArt" CN 2C32e3J

,$angla"esh a##e"e" to the IC5/A4 in /e#ember? an" rati@e" the )ptional Proto#ol in


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Charter

The child shall have the right to freedom of expression this right

shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all !inds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, inwriting or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media ofthe child"s choice. HArt" CI2C3J

#tate $arties have a duty to ma!e educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all childrenon a non-discriminatory basis HArt" GD 2C32d3J

)verar#hing right of a##ess :

Children with disabilities -

#tate $arties have a duty to cooperate with the %& and othercompetent '()s and &()s to protect and assist a refugee child andto trace the parents or other members of the family of any refugeechild in order to obtain information necessary for reunificationwith his or her family. HArt" GG

2G3J

In the case of a refugee child -

,$angla"esh a##e"e" to the ICRC in 1eptember


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1tate

2M Special apporteur on2M Special apporteur on#reedom o$ Opinion and#reedom o$ Opinion andxpression – MS#O)xpression – MS#O)C9973C9973

2


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Commonwea t &ree om o In ormat onommonwea t ree om o n ormat onPrin#iplesPrin#iples

ember countries should be encoura!ed to re!ardember countries should be encoura!ed to re!ard

$reedom o$ in$ormation as a le!al and en$orceable ri!ht$reedom o$ in$ormation as a le!al and en$orceable ri!ht

There should be presumption in $aour o$ disclosure There should be presumption in $aour o$ disclosureand 4ots" should promote a culture o$ opennessand 4ots" should promote a culture o$ openness

T: may be sub*ect to limited but narrowly drawnT: may be sub*ect to limited but narrowly drawnexemptionsexemptions

4ots" should maintain and presere records4ots" should maintain and presere records

ecision to re$use records should be sub*ect toecision to re$use records should be sub*ect toindependent reiewindependent reiew

2;ommuni>u? o$ the ;ommonwealth @aw inistersB eetin! C99932;ommuni>u? o$ the ;ommonwealth @aw inistersB eetin! C9993


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1tatus of RTI aroun" the 4orl"1tatus of RTI aroun" the 4orl"

Seeral countries !uarantee access to in$ormation orSeeral countries !uarantee access to in$ormation or$reedom o$ in$ormation as a $undamental ri!ht$reedom o$ in$ormation as a $undamental ri!ht

Oer 50 countries around the world hae in$ormationOer 50 countries around the world hae in$ormationaccessaccess

All S" Asian countries hae constitutional !uarantees o$All S" Asian countries hae constitutional !uarantees o$$reedom o$ speech ) expression andPor in$ormation$reedom o$ speech ) expression andPor in$ormation

At the national leel) only 1a.istan has an operationalAt the national leel) only 1a.istan has an operationalaccess law in S" Asiaaccess law in S" Asia 2ordinance issued in G00G32ordinance issued in G00G3

9 states in :ndia hae in$ormation access laws9 states in :ndia hae in$ormation access lawsCentral &ree"om of Information A#t( 8998 ' notCentral &ree"om of Information A#t( 8998 ' not

operationaloperational

Sweden – oldest access lawSweden – oldest access law

2C7NN32C7NN3

;ommonwealth – only CC;ommonwealth – only CCcountries includin!


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Pressure for RTI RegimePressure for RTI Regime

5nvironmental #on#erns '5nvironmental #on#erns '

Consumer groupsConsumer groups

PeopleBs .ovements against #orruptionPeopleBs .ovements against #orruption

Q 6hrashtachar Rirodhi Andolan – State o$ aharashtraQ 6hrashtachar Rirodhi Andolan – State o$ aharashtra

e"!e"! Q a+door isan Sha.ti San!athan – State o$ a*asthanQ a+door isan Sha.ti San!athan – State o$ a*asthan

;u"i#ial A#tivism ;u"i#ial A#tivism

Pressure from international #ommunityPressure from international #ommunity

QQ Supreme ;ourt o$ :ndia declared T: a part o$Supreme ;ourt o$ :ndia declared T: a part o$$undamental ri!ht to $reedom o$ speech and expression$undamental ri!ht to $reedom o$ speech and expressionin at least CG casesin at least CG cases

QQ onordrien imperatiesonordrien imperaties

QQ actiists and M4Osactiists and M4Os


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I"eal #omponents of RTI RegimeI"eal #omponents of RTI Regime

Constitutional prote#tion for RTI 'Constitutional prote#tion for RTI ' as in South A$ricaas in South A$rica

A #omprehensive legislation base" on 'A #omprehensive legislation base" on '

a clear and simple application procedurea clear and simple application procedure

minimal $ees not exceedin! the actual cost o$ proidin!minimal $ees not exceedin! the actual cost o$ proidin!

in$ormationin$ormation

with 'with '

1rinciple o$ maximum disclosure and minimum1rinciple o$ maximum disclosure and minimumexceptionsexceptions

an independent appeals mechanisman independent appeals mechanism 2:n$ormation2:n$ormation

;ommission3;ommission3 time limit $or response to an appealtime limit $or response to an appeal 2to !ie or not to !ie32to !ie or not to !ie3

strictly en$orced penalty re!ime a!ainst unreasonablestrictly en$orced penalty re!ime a!ainst unreasonabledenialdenial

maximummaximum suo motusuo motu disclosuredisclosure 2especially schemes and2especially schemes and

pro*ects3pro*ects3 efcient records mana!ement and trainin! o$ ofcialsefcient records mana!ement and trainin! o$ ofcials

time limit $or response to re>uesttime limit $or response to re>uest 2to !ie or not to !ie32to !ie or not to !ie3


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1#ope of RightB * InformationB1#ope of RightB * InformationB

Right 'Right '

to see. and obtain certi8ed copies o$ records andto see. and obtain certi8ed copies o$ records anddocumentsdocuments

to see. and obtain compiled in$ormationto see. and obtain compiled in$ormation

to see. and obtain samples o$ materialsto see. and obtain samples o$ materials

to inspect records and documents and ta.eto inspect records and documents and ta.enotesnotes to see. in$ormation or copies o$ records maintainedto see. in$ormation or copies o$ records maintainedelectronically or any other retrieable $ormatelectronically or any other retrieable $ormat

InformationB in#lu"es #ontents of re#or"s su#h asInformationB in#lu"es #ontents of re#or"s su#h as

&iles( notes( memos( maps( bu"gets( @nan#ial&iles( notes( memos( maps( bu"gets( @nan#ial

statements(statements( balan#e sheets( statisti#al "ata( agen"as(balan#e sheets( statisti#al "ata( agen"as(

meeting minutes(meeting minutes( le"gers( registers( muster rolls(le"gers( registers( muster rolls(

"rawings( photographs( C/s("rawings( photographs( C/s( mo"els( emails( au"io: mo"els( emails( au"io:

visual tapes( s#ale mo"els( mi#ro@lm(visual tapes( s#ale mo"els( mi#ro@lm( mi#ro@#he(mi#ro@#he(


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56emptions in RTI laws56emptions in RTI laws ,In"ia-,In"ia-

ecords relatin! to soerei!nty) inte!rity) security) sa$ety)ecords relatin! to soerei!nty) inte!rity) security) sa$ety)scienti8c or economic interest o$ the State and its relation toscienti8c or economic interest o$ the State and its relation to

other statesother states ;abinet papers) notes $rom meetin!s o$ inisters and;abinet papers) notes $rom meetin!s o$ inisters andSecretariesSecretaries

;ommercial and trade secrets that mi!ht a(ect;ommercial and trade secrets that mi!ht a(ectcompetitieness o$ 8rms 2public and priate3competitieness o$ 8rms 2public and priate3

:n$ormation that may lead to commission o$ o(ence or harm:n$ormation that may lead to commission o$ o(ence or harmpublic orderpublic order

:n$ormation that may harm inesti!ation o$ crimes or the:n$ormation that may harm inesti!ation o$ crimes or theprosecution process or i$ disclosure is $orbidden by a courtprosecution process or i$ disclosure is $orbidden by a court

1ersonal or priate in$ormation o$ indiiduals that has no1ersonal or priate in$ormation o$ indiiduals that has nobearin! on public interestbearin! on public interest

1artial isclosure inthe case o$ exem tProvi"e a##ess to non:Provi"e a##ess to non:

e6empt portions of re#or"se6empt portions of re#or"s

!oo" Pra#ti#e '!oo" Pra#ti#e '


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)ther e6emptions)ther e6emptions

all .inds o$ :ntelli!ence a!enciesall .inds o$ :ntelli!ence a!encies police $orcepolice $orce

paramilitary $orcesparamilitary $orces

56#lu"e" '56#lu"e" '

Information will not be given if 'Information will not be given if '

the re>uest is a!uethe re>uest is a!ue

it is already aailable in a published sourceit is already aailable in a published source

i$ its collection is too cumbersome and will re>uirei$ its collection is too cumbersome and will re>uireenormous resourcesenormous resources

!oo" Pra#ti#e!oo" Pra#ti#e

Information that #annot be "enie" to a .emberInformation that #annot be "enie" to a .ember

of Parliament must not be "enie" to a re+uestorof Parliament must not be "enie" to a re+uestor


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Improving 1ervi#e /eliveryImproving 1ervi#e /elivery

The ProblemThe Problem ––

Case 1tu"y ' Ra2asthanCase 1tu"y ' Ra2asthan

1re!nant women paid s" I00K00 durin! child birth

:n uent complaint


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Improving 1ervi#e /eliveryImproving 1ervi#e /elivery

Case 1tu"y ' Ra2asthanCase 1tu"y ' Ra2asthan

Re#or"s reveale"Re#or"s reveale" ––

61@ $amilies should hae receied 70 types o$medicines $ree

1re!nant women should hae receied $ree treatment

4ot" paid salaries to the Vray machine operator

thou!h the machine was out o$ order $or more than Gyears

any more irre!ularities came to the $oreA#tion takenA#tion taken ––

At a public hearin! ofcials committed themseles toproidin! $ree medicines to 61@ patients

Resi"ents now a#knowle"ge aResi"ents now a#knowle"ge a

marke" improvement in servi#emarke" improvement in servi#e

"elivery"elivery

The Publi# /istribution 1ystem ,P/1- The Publi# /istribution 1ystem ,P/1-


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5nfor#ing A##ountability5nfor#ing A##ountability

The ProblemThe Problem ––

Uoweer) ration dealers diert $ood to the blac.mar.et $or pro8t

4ot" proides subsidised ration to poor people

61@ cardholders then hae to buy the same $ood!rains in the re!ular shops at hi!h rates

Case 1tu"y ' /elhiCase 1tu"y ' /elhi

The InterventionThe Intervention ––

;iti+ens !roups in elhi used T: law to obtain copies o$

re!isters o$ stoc.s) sales and ration cards $rom the#L;S ept"

They held


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5nfor#ing A##ountability5nfor#ing A##ountability

Case 1tu"y /elhiCase 1tu"y /elhi

6etween G00I and G00K) the #ood L ;iil Supplies

ept" receied oer C00 applications $or in$ormation on1S

They sou!ht help $rom the 1ublic 4rieance

;ommission 214;3) which is the Appellate Authority inelhi" 14; ordered release o$ records

A#tion takenA#tion taken ––

Subse>uently) heay penalties were slapped oncorrupt ration shop owners and licenses weresuspended

The epartment has now been $orced to initiatere$orms and monitor the 1ublic istribution System

Some ofcials who re$used to !ie in$ormation were 8ne

:n most cases applicants were unsatis8ed with theept"Bs answers or *ust did not !et re>uested records

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