Union européenne
Transparency in the European Union
Access Info is working towards a more transparent EU by promoting stronger rules for access to documents and ensuring that existing rules are properly applied. We provide training on how to request information from the EU, engage in campaigns for greater transparency and, when necessary, litigate to get access to information.
European Union Regulation 1049/2001
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Access Info and the European Union
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Toolkit on how to access EU information / Access Info Help Desk
European Parliament adopts proposals to improve EU transparency rules
Amsterdam/Madrid/Brussels 15 December 2011 - Access Info Europe, ClientEarth and Greenpeace welcomed the European Parliament vote, adopting its 1st reading position on proposals to improve the EU's access to documents rules by a convincing 394 votes in favour, 197 against with 35 abstentions.
The proposed reforms, contained in a report drawn up by Michael Cashman MEP already adopted by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee, are now the Parliament's formal position and will be negotiated with the Council of the European Union, under the upcoming Danish Presidency.
AsktheEU.org:
New one-stop portal makes requests for EU documents easy
Brussels/Madrid, Wednesday 28 September 2011 – On 28 September 2011, the 9th International Right to Know Day, pro-transparency human rights group Access Info Europe will be unveiling the AsktheEU.org web portal by which the public can ask for information from EU bodies.
AsktheEU.org is a designed to radically simplify the process by which the public puts requests to European Union bodies: an email is sent from the website to the relevant EU body. All requests sent via AsktheEU.org and the responses are instantly made public. Requesters will have the opportunity to "me too" a request so that more than one person receives the answer, easing the workload on EU officials.
Legal battle over EU transparency gathers pace
26 September 2011 - Three new players have joined the legal battle over the future of transparency of the Council of the European Union, to be decided by the European Court of Justice (second instance).
The Czech Republic and Spain have announced they will join Greece and the UK in supporting the Council's fight to keep the names of Member States making legislative proposals secret.
Access Info together with the UK NGOs including the Open Rights Group, the Campaign for Freedom of Information, and Unlock Democracy will use International Right to Know Day to draw attention to the hypocrisy of the UK's involvement in the case given that it is a leading promoter of open government on the international stage.
On a more positive note, the European Parliament has committed to joining Access Info Europe in the case, to be confirmed by a formal decision on 10 October by the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee.
» More information about the Court Case
» Write to your government about this issue
» Congratulate your MEPs for backing the public interest in EU transparency - download model letter
Press Release
UK promises transparency at home whilst fighting it in Brussels
9 September 2011: Despite domestic efforts to open up government, the UK has taken a stance against transparency in Brussels by being party to a legal battle at the European Court of Justice which if successful would limit public access to documents about future laws.
As much as 50% of national legislation is now influenced by European Union rules. The pro-transparency organisation Access Info Europe won a case in March 2011 for access to legislative documents, but the Council of the European Union is fighting the decision in an appeal to the European Court of Justice, backed by the UK and Greece.
Germany: Civil society website makes it easier to ask for government information
Madrid/Berlin, Friday 1 August 2011 - A coalition of German and international access to information organisations, which includes Access Info Europe, [1] today launched a portal for submitting information requests to the German government.
Council of EU challenges pro-transparency ruling - Greece, UK and other member states set to join appeal
Access Info launches campaign calling for governments and MEPs to support EU transparency
21 July 2011 - The Council of the European Union is challenging the pro-transparency decision of the General Court of the European Union in a case won by Access Info Europe on 22 March 2011. Greece and the UK have already sided with the Council and other member states are reported to be considering joining the appeal.
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In the case of Access Info Europe v Council of the European Union (Case T-233/09), the General Court concluded that the Council's practice of releasing documents on legislative negotiations only after blanking out the names of the countries making proposals was illegitimate.
The Court argued that "If citizens are to be able to exercise their democratic rights, they must be in a position to follow in detail the decision-making process" and "to have access to all relevant information."
The Council, however, is questioning the General Court's reasoning and is seeking to ensure that such information on future legislation remains secret. Over 50% of national legislation originates from the European Union.
Access Info is concerned that a reversal of this ruling will permit greater "policy laundering" by EU Member States. The pro-transparency organisation is today launching a campaign calling on Member States to come out clearly in favour of open decision making.
Open EU Decision Making Campaign - Action Needed!
Click here for a draft letter to send to your government asking them not to join Greece, the UK and the Council in their fight against transparency in the EU.
Click here to send a letter to the UK government, asking why they are fighting against transparency at the EU, given their transparency pledges in the UK.
Click here to send a letter to the Greek government, asking them why they are appealing this ruling despite international recommendations to improve Greece's transparency.
Click here to send a letter to your MEPs (Member of the European Parliament), telling them to condemn the appeal and to stand up for transparency. Click here for a list of your MEPs email addresses by country.
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