| Algeria: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Public Access to Information | ||
| Indicators | Score | |
| 12 | Do citizens have a legal right of access to information? | 33 |
| 13 | Is the right of access to information effective? | 0 |
Indicator and sub-Indicator Details
| 12 | Do citizens have a legal right of access to information? | |||||||
| 12a: In law, citizens have a right of access to government information and basic government records. | ||||||||
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Comments: The Algerian constitution and the information law outline (very vaguely) the right of Algerian citizens to obtain information from government bodies. References: Algerian constitution of 28 November 1996 [ LINK ] Law No. 90-07 of 3 April 1990 with regards to information [ LINK ]
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| 12b: In law, citizens have a right of appeal if access to a basic government record is denied. | ||||||||
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Comments: Neither the Algerian constitution nor the information law defines a formal appeal process in case a government agency denies the right to obtain requested information. References: Algerian constitution of 28 November 1996 [ LINK ] Law No. 90-07 of 3 April 1990 with regards to information [ LINK ]
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| 12c: In law, there is an established institutional mechanism through which citizens can request government records. | ||||||||
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Comments: There does not exist an institution or agency which establishes and/or safeguards citizens' access to government records. Excerpt of the U.S. State Department country report for the year 2006 on Algeria: [...] Although permitted under the constitution, access to government information was often restricted. Despite pledges to eliminate corruption, there is no law facilitating access to information. Public procurement was often tainted with irregularities, including the excessive use of private agreements. According to the Ministry of Public Works, following President Bouteflika's April 2005 statement that the use of private agreements, including single source contracts, would be prohibited, government agencies began implementing a public tender policy for all infrastructure and large government projects. Some agencies, however, continued to use direct contracts for smaller and less publicized projects. For those public tenders, evaluations were not released to participating companies, and evaluation methods and techniques were not clearly defined. [...] References: Algerian constitution of 28 November 1996 [ LINK ] U.S. State Department Algeria Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 6, 2007 [ LINK ]
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| 13 | Is the right of access to information effective? | |||||||
| 13a: In practice, citizens receive responses to access to information requests within a reasonable time period. | ||||||||
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Comments: The access to government records is arbitrary. Sensitive records are not available to the public or the press. Even simple registration records of associations are often withheld by the government administration without any explanation. The access to government records depends largely on the status of the requester and his/her political influence. Excerpt of the Sate Department report: "[...] Although permitted under the constitution, access to government information was often restricted. Despite pledges to eliminate corruption, there is no law facilitating access to information. [...]" References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Algeria - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 [ LINK ]
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| 13b: In practice, citizens can use the access to information mechanism at a reasonable cost. | ||||||||
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Comments: Access to government records is arbitrary. Sensitive records are not available to the public or the press. Even simple registration records of associations are often withheld by the government administration without any explanation. The access to government records depends largely on the status of the requester and his/her political influence. Excerpt of the Sate Department report: "[...] Although permitted under the constitution, access to government information was often restricted. Despite pledges to eliminate corruption, there is no law facilitating access to information. [...]" References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Algeria - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: It is possible to obtain documents, but for some questions local services are required to contact central administration.
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| 13c: In practice, citizens can resolve appeals to access to information requests within a reasonable time period. | ||||||||
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Comments: Access to government records is arbitrary. Sensitive records are not available to the public or the press. Even simple registration records of associations are often withheld by the government administration without any explanation. The access to government records depends largely on the status of the requester and his/her political influence. Excerpt of the Sate Department report: "[...] Although permitted under the constitution, access to government information was often restricted. Despite pledges to eliminate corruption, there is no law facilitating access to information. [...]" References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Algeria - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 [ LINK ]
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| 13d: In practice, citizens can resolve appeals to information requests at a reasonable cost. | ||||||||
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Comments: Access to government records is arbitrary. Sensitive records are not available to the public or the press. Even simple registration records of associations are often withheld by the government administration without any explanation. The access to government records depends largely on the status of the requester and his/her political influence. Excerpt of the Sate Department report: "[...] Although permitted under the constitution, access to government information was often restricted. Despite pledges to eliminate corruption, there is no law facilitating access to information. [...]" References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Algeria - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 [ LINK ]
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| 13e: In practice, the government gives reasons for denying an information request. | ||||||||
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Comments: Access to government records is arbitrary. Sensitive records are not available to the public or the press. Even simple registration records of associations are often withheld by the government administration without any explanation. The access to government records depends largely on the status of the requester and his/her political influence. Excerpt of the Sate Department report: "[...] Although permitted under the constitution, access to government information was often restricted. Despite pledges to eliminate corruption, there is no law facilitating access to information. [...]" References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Algeria - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 [ LINK ]
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