Madrid, 22 September 2010 – Access Info Europe today launched a public consultation on Spain’s draft access to information law following receipt of a leaked copy of the draft law. Responses will be forwarded to the government.
Access Info along with the 40 other NGO members of the Coalicion Pro Acceso have been calling for greater transparency around the draft. A letter sent to the government on 20 August 2010 asking for a copy and calling for a public consultation has, to date, gone unanswered.
In the civil society consultation launched today, members of the public are invited to give their input on the draft, including the areas where it falls below prevailing European standards such as:
- • The definition of information which excludes large quantities of information
- • The limited scope – the administration only and not the legislative and judicial powers
- • The long time frames (30 days to answer a request with additional time to provide the information and possible extensions of another 30 days).
Spanish Law on Transparency and Access of Citizens to Public Information