About Rachel Hanna

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So far Rachel Hanna has created 12 blog entries.
14 May 2025

Pfizergate: EU Court Rules Commission in Violation of Transparency Law Over von der Leyen–Pfizer Texts

2025-05-14T16:43:34+02:00

14 May 2025 – The General Court of the European Union has annulled the European Commission decision to refuse access to text messages relating to COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, stating that doing so violated EU access to documents law and breached the principle of good administration. In early 2021, it was revealed that President von der Leyen had exchanged text messages with Pfizer CEO during negotiations for COVID-19 vaccine procurement. Following this, a journalist from The New York Times submitted a request for access to these messages under the EU's access to documents law (Regulation 1049/2001). According to the Commission's

Pfizergate: EU Court Rules Commission in Violation of Transparency Law Over von der Leyen–Pfizer Texts2025-05-14T16:43:34+02:00
8 May 2025

Civil Society Coalition Calls on European Ombudsman to Defend Transparency and the Right of Access to EU Documents

2025-05-08T18:19:29+02:00

08 May 2025 - Access Info Europe, alongside a coalition of transparency and accountability organisations, has written to newly elected European Ombudsman Ms. Anjinho urging action to address the “systematic erosion of transparency standards and practices within the EU institutions.” In a joint letter, the coalition congratulated Ms. Anjinho on her election and welcomed her leadership at a pivotal moment for the future of EU democracy. They called on her to use the powers of her office to ensure that transparency is “not merely a theoretical principle, but is implemented by the institutions in practice.” The coalition - which

Civil Society Coalition Calls on European Ombudsman to Defend Transparency and the Right of Access to EU Documents2025-05-08T18:19:29+02:00
25 Mar 2025

Joint Legal Challenge Filed Against European Commission’s New Access to Documents Rules

2025-03-25T11:09:49+01:00

25 March 2025 - Access Info brings legal challenge against European Commission arguing that its new access to documents rules violate the Charter, the TFEU, and Regulation 1049/2001. Access Info, together with Emilio de Capitani and Päivi Leino-Sandberg, has brought a direct legal challenge before the General Court of the European Union, arguing that various provisions of the European Commission’s revised internal rules on access to documents violate the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (the Charter), the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and Regulation 1049/2001. Led by lawyers Rainer Hable, Onno Brouwer, Alvaro Pliego Selie, and

Joint Legal Challenge Filed Against European Commission’s New Access to Documents Rules2025-03-25T11:09:49+01:00
17 Ene 2025

Legal Recommendations to Strengthen Access to Documents in France

2025-01-17T12:44:42+01:00

17 January 2025 -  Access Info and Open Knowledge France today release recommendations on how to align the French Access to Documents Law with international standards. Access to documents is recognised as a constitutional guarantee in France and is governed by the Code of Relations between the Public and the Administration (CRPA). Despite its constitutional status, the current legal framework regulating this right falls significantly short of the benchmarks established by the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (Tromsø Convention) and other international best practices. Key Gaps Identified in the CRPA A detailed analysis, carried out

Legal Recommendations to Strengthen Access to Documents in France2025-01-17T12:44:42+01:00
7 Nov 2024

Strengthening Transparency: New Roadmap for Greece and Moldova to Align Access to Information Laws with Global Standards

2024-11-08T11:39:29+01:00

Madrid, 07 November 2024 – Access Info, in collaboration with national partners, has published comprehensive recommendations to strengthen access to information laws in Greece and Moldova, ensuring alignment with global standards, including the Council of Europe’s Tromsø Convention on Access to Official Documents. This analysis, part of the Access to Information Network Project, was conducted in partnership with Vouliwatch in Greece and Lawyers for Human Rights in Moldova. It assesses each nation’s legal framework against international best practices on access to information and the benchmarks established by the Tromsø Convention. "Our analysis highlights the contrast between Moldova and Greece

Strengthening Transparency: New Roadmap for Greece and Moldova to Align Access to Information Laws with Global Standards2024-11-08T11:39:29+01:00
28 Oct 2024

Making Access to EU Documents a Reality: Access Info Publishes Key Recommendations

2024-10-28T12:44:06+01:00

Madrid – 28 October 2024 – Today, Access Info releases recommendations aimed at EU institutions, bodies, and agencies on how to improve the practical implementation of the public's right of access to EU documents. Access to EU documents is a fundamental right governed by Regulation 1049/2001, which was designed to give the “fullest possible effect” to this right. Despite a fairly robust legal framework, many requesters still face significant challenges when attempting to access documents from EU bodies in practice. To address these challenges, Access Info has collaborated with civil society organisations, academics, and legal experts to develop a

Making Access to EU Documents a Reality: Access Info Publishes Key Recommendations2024-10-28T12:44:06+01:00
18 Oct 2024

Helen Darbishire

2024-10-18T15:49:10+02:00

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that Access Info shares the passing of our Executive Director and founder, Helen Darbishire, on Friday 18th October. Helen was an extraordinary leader, colleague, and friend, whose commitment to Access Info and this community will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working alongside her. Helen moved to Madrid in 2006, where she established Access Info. Since then, both she and the organisation have become global references for the promotion and protection of the right to information, Open Government, the fight against corruption and the defence of human rights

Helen Darbishire2024-10-18T15:49:10+02:00
27 Sep 2024

Lighthouse Reports Wins Inaugural Access Info Impact Award

2024-09-27T02:25:21+02:00

Madrid, 27 September 2024 –  Lighthouse Reports has been awarded the first-ever Access Info Impact Award for its leadership in the groundbreaking ‘Suspicion Machines’ investigation, which uncovered discriminatory algorithmic practices across Europe. Lighthouse Reports spearheaded the collaborative investigation series Suspicion Machines, which revealed how machine learning algorithms used by welfare systems to detect fraud and errors were disproportionately targeting individuals based on ethnicity and gender.  Through a series of freedom of information requests, the investigation shed light on the widespread use of these opaque systems in six European countries, starting in the Netherlands and expanding to Denmark, France, Serbia,

Lighthouse Reports Wins Inaugural Access Info Impact Award2024-09-27T02:25:21+02:00
23 Sep 2024

Finalists Announced for the Inaugural Access Info Impact Award

2024-09-24T09:24:58+02:00

Madrid 23 September 2024 – Access Info is proud to announce the three finalists for the first-ever Access Info Impact Award. The Access Info Impact Award aims to honour individuals and organisations that have effectively used their right to information to advance human rights, environmental protection, democracy, or anti-corruption efforts. After opening nominations last month, the award received 21 high-calibre entries from civil society organisations, journalists, academics, and citizens across Europe. A distinguished Evaluation Committee has carefully reviewed all the nominations and shortlisted the following three outstanding candidates: Lighthouse Reports - Uncovering discrimination in algorithmic decision-making The investigative series

Finalists Announced for the Inaugural Access Info Impact Award2024-09-24T09:24:58+02:00
13 Ago 2024

Convocatoria de nominaciones para el Access Info Impact Award

2024-08-13T15:54:40+02:00

Madrid, 12 de agosto de 2024 – Access Info Europe ha lanzado el Access Info Impact Award, un premio que celebra las personas que han utilizado su derecho a la información para tener un impacto positivo en la sociedad. El Access Info Impact Award reconoce a quienes han aprovechado significativamente su derecho a la información para promover los derechos humanos, la protección del medio ambiente, la democracia y/o los esfuerzos anticorrupción. Al reconocer los logros ejemplares de activistas, periodistas, académicos y profesionales de toda Europa, el premio tiene como objetivo destacar la importancia del derecho a la información e

Convocatoria de nominaciones para el Access Info Impact Award2024-08-13T15:54:40+02:00