Dear Sir : I am mailing to you from the New Delhi office of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative an international non-government organization mandated to ensure the practical realization of human rights in the countries of the commonwealth focusing on two broad areas like Access to justice and Access to Information. One of the issues we deal with is Freedom of Information where CHRI has been actively involved pan commonwealth ---i.e. campaigning for access legislations in nations that does not have one and advocating with the policy makers for adoption of an access law, helping the civil society in drafting FOI legislations as well as critiquing bills that are pending government approval.
12 countries in the commonwealth have access laws in place. Malaysia does not have an access legislation in place. Article 10 of the Constitution recognises the right to freedom of speech and expression, but there is no reference in the Constitution to the right to information. The importance of access legislation cannot be undermined especially in the commonwealth when most nations in this part of the world including Malaysia is striving to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 as well as to tackle problems concerning endemic poverty, corruption, and development. An access legisation helps in participatory development, economic progress as well as strengthening democracy. Therefore, it is pertinent that citizens should use the law as much as possible to access information and encourage others to follow. Transparency and Accountability are keys to good governance and one way to bring this about is by allowing people to access government held information as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression' which included freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." In this connection, I mail to you to inform and let you know that September 28, is celebrated throughout the world as the International Right to Information Day. This day is celebrated by Right to Information activists in order to symbolize the global movement for promotion of the right to information. This day is marked by Civil Society groups to engage in national media campaigns to raise awareness of the right; publish reports about the current state of access to information in a country or region; advocate for adoption of an access to information law in countries which do not have one; help in dissemination of information about how to use access to information laws in countries where they exist; organize seminars for local civil society groups on how to access government held information (whether or not a law exists in a particular country) or organize meetings or televised debates about open government and public participation. CHRI therefore appeals to you to disseminate information about the importance of this day far and wide and requests you to carry stories/features on that day. We will be preparing a short background note which we will be sending it out to you by tomorrow evening. We urge the media to use the background note and tailor it to suit their specific needs and conditions. We would be greatly obliged if you could carry a story in your paper and take the message forward by carrying news or features on the importance of Right to Information Day and of the law which has great bearing on both democracy and development. For more information contact Aditi Datta at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ( 981 821 6242) . Hoping to hear from you soon, Thanking you, Kind Regards, Aditi Aditi Datta Media and Communications Officer Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative B-117, Sarvodaya Enclave, Second Floor New Delhi 110017. INDIA www.humanrightsinitiative.org ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 1.2 million kids a year are victims of human trafficking. Stop slavery. http://us.click.yahoo.com/X3SVTD/izNLAA/E2hLAA/1dTolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ------------------------------------------------ ADIL-Net will remain a Free Forum until further notice. Disclaimer: The opinions and views posted are not necessarily that of the list owner's or ADIL's -------------------------------------------------- Send a blank e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - to subscribe to the list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - to unsubscribe from the list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - to switch your subscription to normal [EMAIL PROTECTED] - to switch your subscription to digest ADIL Homepage: http://members.easyspace.com/reformasi/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADIL-Net/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
