Right to Know Day around the world - India

1. Organizer: Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
Event: Launch of a new publication on Implementing Access to Information
Date: September 28, 2006

Description: The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI - www.humanrightsinitiative.org) has release its new publication on 'Implementing Access to Information - a practical guide to operationalising freedom of information laws'. The report sets out a step-by-step guide on how to overcome entrenched bureaucratic cultures of secrecy, inconsistent legislation, process and system constraints and a lack of understanding of the law by officials to ensure effective implementation of freedom of information laws.

The report is split into four sections setting out the four key areas of change required to ensure implementation in a correct and effective manner. These include:

-Entrenching a Culture of Openness
-Crafting a Supportive Legislative Regime
-Putting in Place Good Systems
-Monitoring Implementation.

The report can be accessed through CHRI's website. If you would like hardcopies, please email us at jeet@humanrightsinitiative.org or cecelia@humanrightsinitiative.org with a mailing address.

CHRI is releasing the report ahead of international Right to Know Day on 28 September, a day on which advocates of freedom of information from across the world will be celebrating the day by holding a number of awareness raising events. To mark the occasion, CHRI has produced a backgrounder paper attached above which we encourage you to use to write articles to raise awareness about the right to information on the day.