Parliamentary Committee Discusses “Right to Access Information” with Civil Society Representatives

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[size=52]Parliamentary Committee Discusses “Right to Access Information” with Civil Society Representatives[/size]

[size=45]The Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Media Committee of the Iraqi Council of Representatives met with representatives of the campaign to amend the “Right to Information” law on October 17 and 18, 2024, in a workshop organized by the International Rescue Committee in coordination with the Institute for Parliamentary Development. The meeting was held with the aim of enriching the draft law and discussing amending its paragraphs in a way that achieves the goal of its approval and is consistent with the Iraqi Constitution, applicable laws and international standards.
The workshop witnessed the participation of a group of international experts, including the Director of the Regional Office of the “Article 19” organization, experts from the International Media Support (IMS) organization, in addition to Iraqi experts specializing in “constitutional law.” During the workshop, all articles included in the law were discussed in detail, as members of the parliamentary committee presented the precise amendments proposed by them, and listened to the comments of the representatives of the campaign to amend the law and their proposed amendments.
The participants reached an agreement on a set of amendments proposed by the parliamentary committee that were consistent with the proposals of the campaign representatives, and the joint texts of the proposed amendments were recorded. After extensive discussions, the parliamentary committee adopted a set of amendments proposed by the campaign representatives, and confirmed its intention to vote on them within the committee, given their importance and role in serving the law and their compatibility with the laws on the right to access information in developed countries, taking into account international obligations in accordance with the charters and treaties ratified by Iraq, and their non-contradiction with the Iraqi constitution and the provisions of the original law.
The participants in the workshop discussed all the problematic points in the draft law, including the classification of information and the scope of access to it, the exceptions included in the law, the mechanism for grievance and filing appeals, and the party responsible for implementing the law.
The parliamentary committee on culture, tourism, antiquities and media confirmed its openness to any amendments proposed by the concerned and interested parties, in order to move forward in legislating the law in a way that achieves the goal of its enactment, is compatible with the constitution and international standards, and takes into account the interests of the country. The committee noted the great interest and concern of the parliament presidency in legislating the law during the current session, stressing its commitment to legislating a law that guarantees the right of individuals to access information, supports freedom of the press, serves research institutions, and contributes to combating corruption and supporting transparency, as foundations that support the country’s progress.
On the other hand, the International Rescue Committee in Iraq, which organized the workshop, and its local partner NGOs, work closely with the Iraqi parliament within the framework of the peace-building and stability program in Iraq. The committee encourages members of parliament to hear the voices of civil society and share international best practices.
It is noteworthy that 600 local and international organizations, human rights and civil figures, journalists, writers and bloggers have launched a campaign to amend the Right to Information Law. The campaign included a letter addressed to parliament calling on it to pass a series of fundamental amendments to the law that guarantee the right to access and obtain information, as an inherent right of individuals and a supporter of freedoms and the foundations of democratic construction in Iraq.
In this context, Delofan Barwari, head of the Volunteer Lawyers Network for Defending Freedom of Expression, and Dr. Wael Munther, an expert in constitutional law, presented a paper on legal amendments that were agreed upon by members of the campaign to amend the law.[/size]
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