Guías prácticas

Access Info está desarrollando en la actualidad una serie de manuales y guías prácticas para usuarios de leyes de acceso a la información. El objetivo es proporcionar consejos prácticos y estratégicos sobre como solicitar información utilizando un lenguaje sencillo, así como recomendaciones sobre como formular las solicitudes. Del mismo modo se podrán encontrar recomendaciones sobre como recurrir contra las denegaciones de entregar información y/o silencio administrativo.

Las guías prácticas contienen casos de estudio de la vida real que muestran como individuos que trabajan en un sector particular han ejercido su derecho de acceso a la información para avanzar en su trabajo. Por ejemplo, periodistas que han utilizado este derecho para escribir sus historias, organizaciones de la sociedad civil que han usado este derecho para participar en el proceso de toma de decisiones del gobierno, o como un grupo a favor de la integridad ha recibido documentos que revelan casos de corrupción.

Access Info ha encontrado que muchas organizaciones de la sociedad civil y periodistas inseguros sobre cómo realizar una solicitud de información o sobre cuándo es el momento oportuno en una investigación para poner en marcha una solicitud formal de información (por ejemplo, cuando el intento de obtener la información deseada a través de con tactos dentro de un organismo gubernamental ha fallado).

Información específica del país: Trabajando con socios de diferentes países, las guías prácticas serán traducidas y adaptadas para encajar con los marcos jurídicos específicos. Tras la publicación de las guías prácticas, Access Info proporcionará formación a las OSCs y organizaciones de periodistas, y estará disponible para proporcionar asistencia legal y técnica, particularmente cuando la solicitud involucre la defensa de derechos humanos.

The Aid Transparency Toolkit

Published in October 2009, the Aid Transparency Toolkit is a guide for civil society organisations and members of the public interested in knowing more about how aid works and where the money goes to get the answers to their questions.

This Toolkit is designed for CSOs in the north and south working on aid effectiveness, monitoring the implementation of aid projects, seeking to participate in decision making on development strategies or investigating corruption in aid funding and delivery. It can also be used by individuals from donor or recipient countries who are intersted in knowing about aid funds.

The toolkit provides answers to basic questions such as: What is the right of access to information? How do I get information about aid? Who can make a request? Where do I start looking? Do I have to pay a fee? How should I formulate my request? Who do I send it to? When will I receive the ansewer? What do I do if my request is ignored or refused?

Aid Transparency Toolkit

Other guides and toolkits currently in development are:

The Right to Ask ... the Right to Know - A general guide on how to use access to information laws with answers to frequently asked questions. This guide will also contain information about how to appeal against refusals to provide information.

“Legal leaks” Toolkit for Journalists - designed to give journalists specialised guidance on how to use access to information laws and how to integrate a request filing strategy as part of daily research and reporting by journalists. The toolkit will give journalists advice on when and how to use access to information as an research instrument, as well as providing practical and legal advice for exercising this right and with sample letters and forms of language for use in appeals.

My Question for Brussels - A citizen’s guide to accessing documents from the various institutions of the European Union including how to file a request and how to appeal to the Ombudsman.

The Right to Know for Civil Liberties – designed for human rights defenders and organisations working to monitor the impact on civil liberties of counter-terrorism and security measures. The toolkit also addresses the strategic uses of the right of access to information in human rights advocacy campaigns.

Funding of the Toolkits: Access Info Europe is currently raising funds for the Toolkits, including their development and translation, and for the running of the Helpdesk. If you are able to support us, please write to our Executive Director Helen Darbishire by clicking here or by phoning + 34 667 685 319.