Enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act

During autumn 2005, GONG has developed a methodology and an action plan in order to explore the enforcement of the right to information access. 22 citizen applicants were chosen as well as 105 public institutions to which requests for information were sent.

During autumn 2005, GONG has developed a methodology and an action plan in order to explore the enforcement of the right to information access. 22 citizen applicants were chosen as well as 105 public institutions to which requests for information were sent. Furthermore, the Access application was also developed in order for GONG to be able to monitor the progress of the requests and institutions as well as the whole situation.

The requests were sent in the name of ordinary citizens, and not in the name of GONG, so as to receive a complete picture of Law implementation. In present, pre-final phase, we have obtained the following results:
– 28 public bodies have not responded to the requests within the legally prescribed deadline, but they have done so only after appeals and requests for speeding up the procedure had been submitted
– 3 appeals are now in the procedure
– 4 administrative complaints have been sent to the Administrative Court, based on the so-called silence of administration. The Court has decided on one case so far, and it was decided in favor of the applicant. Other 3 complaints are still pending in the judicial procedure.

According to the obtained results, one third of the public bodies (33, 33%) have not responded to citizens’ requests.