BackThe impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) brings unprecedented challenges for our society, both nationally and globally.
Public authorities must make significant decisions that affect public health, civil liberties and people’s prosperity.
The public’s right to access information about such decisions is vital.
As a global community, the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) recognises that resources may be diverted away from usual information rights work. Public organisations will rightly focus their resources on protecting public health, and we recognise our role in taking a pragmatic approach, for example around how quickly public bodies respond to requests.
But the importance of the right to access information remains.
Public bodies must also recognise the value of clear and transparent communication, and of good record-keeping, in what will be a much analysed period of history.
As an international network, the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) supports a flexible approach that takes into account the compelling public interest in the current health emergency, while safeguarding the values of the right to access information. We ask governments to support this vision.
We add our support and gratitude to those who are dedicated to tackling the current pandemic.
The signatories:
ICIC Members
- Alberta (Canada) - Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
- Argentina - Agencia de Acceso a la Información Pública
- Brazil - Controladoria-Geral da União (CGU)
- Cayman Islands - Ombudsman
- Coahuila (Mexico) – Instituto Coahuilense de Acceso a la Informacion Publica
- Guatemala - Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos de Guatemala
- Isle of Man - Information Commissioner
- Hungary - Nemzeti Adatvédelmi és Információszabadság Hatóság (NAIH)
- Mexico - Instituto Nacional de Transparencia, Acceso a la Información y Protección de Datos Personales (INAI)
- Nepal - National Information Commission
- Punjab (Pakistan) - Punjab Information Commission
- The Philippines - Freedom of Information - Project Management Office
- Scotland - Scottish Information Commissioner
- Sierra Leone - Right to Access Information Commission
- South Africa - Information Regulator (South Africa)
- Spain - Consejo de Transparencia y Buen Gobierno
- United Kingdom - Information Commissioner’s Office
- United States - Office of Government Information Services - National Archives and Records Administration
Non-ICIC members
- Andalusia (Spain) - Consejo de Transparencia y Protection de Datos de Andalucia
- Ireland – Office of the Ombudsman
- Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) - Landesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit - Rheinland-Pfalz
- South Australian Ombudsman
- Yukon (Canada) - Information and Privacy Commissioner
Source: International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC)
