Africa Platform on Access to Information

Africa Platform on Access to Information


Date: October 7, 2011
  • SHARE:

On 19 September 2011, the Africa Information and Media Summit (AIMS), which brought together the Pan African Conference on Access to information and Highway Africa, adopted the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI).

Access to information has not been on the top of the agenda for African countries. A few countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Angola, Ethiopia, Liberia and Nigeria have Access to Information laws.

Frank la Rue (UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression) hailed the declaration as one that is going to set standards for the world. He added that rapporteurs should not just criticise but appraise good practices. Advocate Pansy Tlakula, CEO of the South African Independent Electoral Commission and the African Union Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information added: “Secrecy builds suspicion and information opens doors of neutral trust between the state and citizen.” Over 200 delegates signed the African Platform on Access to Information, which states that “access to information is a fundamental human right” and that “the right of access to information shall be established by law in each African country.” Among other things, the conference has called on UNESCO to endorse the African Platform on Access to Information and that 28 September be declared as International Right to Information Day. A model law on Access to Information is currently being drafted by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression of the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights.

To access the declaration, click below for English version and Portuguese version.


Download : African Platform on Access to Information declaration - English

Comment on Africa Platform on Access to Information

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *