25. 10. 2004

Parliament to debate Information Act

BELGRADE, October 25, 2004 (Beta) – The Serbian Parliament is to debate the Bill on Free Access to Information of Public Importance on October 26, 2004. The bill envisages information at the disposal of state bodies being accessible to all citizens under equal conditions while prohibitions remain on information which could jeopardise the defence or security of the state. Access to information may be limited in cases where it endangers the life, health or safety of any individual or obstructs legal proceedings or prevents fair trials. The bill also provides for equal rights in the use of information and prohibits discrimination among citizens on any racial, religious, national or other grounds. Information is of public importance if any citizen has a justifiable interest in being aware of it. The bill established the right of all know whether a state body is in possession of certain information, the right to access all documents containing information of public importance and the right to acquire the document.