Gong continues to advocate for transparency in the work of public authorities. In the light of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, celebrated on September 28, we have published an analysis of the biggest challenges in realising the right to access information.
The right to access information is one of the most important tools in the fight against corruption and in promoting transparency in the work of public authorities. Despite being guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and regulated by the Act on the Right to Access Information, many citizens are unaware of this right or do not know how to exercise it, and they often face difficulties in doing so.
St Mark's Square has been closed for nearly four years, and the public remains uninformed about the actual threat that led to the closure of one of the most important squares in the Republic of Croatia. As a result, constitutional rights of freedom of assembly and movement have been restricted. The Ministry of the Interior has classified this information as “confidential,” and it is the only body authorized to declassify it.
For months, Gong has been trying to obtain the names of the authors of the new Act on Constituencies, which was adopted in a non-transparent manner, without public debate or the involvement of civil society and experts in the drafting process. The formation of an expert working group is a right, but not an obligation, of public authorities. As a result, we see situations like this, where some of the country's most important laws are crafted arbitrarily behind closed doors in party circles.
When citizens are informed about what public authorities do and how they operate, accountability is increased, and trust in public administration is strengthened. Below, we present an analysis of the biggest challenges we have identified in the practice of exercising this right, along with recommendations for better regulation.
