Title: The Right to information in Latin America: a comparative legal survey
Author: Toby Mendel
Pages: 164 pp.
Publisher: UNESCO, Quito office
Date published: 2009
Date accessed: 26/07/2009
Type of information: book
Language: English, Spanish
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
UNESCO’s Office in Quito releases a legal survey on the right to information in Latin America, comparing the currently existing laws in 11 Latin American countries: Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Uruguay. Conducted by Toby Mendel, this study confirms UNESCO’s commitment to promote the right to information, in line with its strategic objective of enhancing universal access to information and knowledge.
Those tasked with drafting or promoting legislation guaranteeing the right to information face a number of challenges. How should the regime of exceptions be crafted so as to strike an appropriate balance between the right to know and the need for secrecy to protect certain key public and private interests? How extensive should the obligation to publish and disseminate information be and how can the law ensure that this obligation grows in line with technological developments? What procedures for requesting information can balance the need for timely, inexpensive access against the pressures and resource constraints facing civil servants? What right of appeal should individuals have when their requests for information have been refused? Which positive measures need to be taken to change the culture of secrecy that pervades the public administration in so many countries and to inform the public about this right?