| 12 |
Do citizens have a legal right of access to information? |
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12a:
In law, citizens have a right of access to government information and basic government records.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
 |
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Comments: There is not a formal right, but in fact people have access to main governement information.
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
Peer Review Comments: As far as I know, in law this right does not exist, though in practice it does.
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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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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments:
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
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12c:
In law, there is an established institutional mechanism through which citizens can request government records.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments:
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
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| 13 |
Is the right of access to information effective? |
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13a:
In practice, citizens receive responses to access to information requests within a reasonable time period.
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| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
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Comments: Some records are available online or can be obtained quickly. It is not the same case for sensitive information.
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
Interview with Gabriel Nikundana, editor in chief of Radio Isanganiro, Aug. 24, 2007, in Bujumbura.
Peer Review Comments: It is hard to get information from the government about anything, whether it is data on expenditures or trends, or whether it is programmatic documents, budgets, or other items. This is not necessarily due to a deliberate policy of closure, but a combination of factors: - no money, no functioning copiers - people do not dare to share information without asking their superiors - old habits of lack of transparency persist
Peer Review Comments: Politically sensitive information is obtainable but not necessarily from the source who officially holds it.
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13b:
In practice, citizens can use the access to information mechanism at a reasonable cost.
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| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
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Comments: When records are available, their access is free to all citizens or at at a low cost (photocopying).
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
Interview with Gabriel Nikundana, editor in chief of Radio Isanganiro, Aug. 24, 2007, in Bujumbura.
Peer Review Comments: Even as a well-connected foreigner with money, I find it very hard to get any precise data about anything.
Peer Review Comments: There is no mechanism to assure this, though those who seek by their own means do not pay.
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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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| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
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Comments: There is not a formal way to get access to information and consequently no appeal process.
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
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13d:
In practice, citizens can resolve appeals to information requests at a reasonable cost.
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| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
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Comments:
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
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13e:
In practice, the government gives reasons for denying an information request.
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| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
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Comments:
References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.
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