Week of Freedom of Information Starting Today in Georgia

Week of freedom of information, initiated by the GYLA, started today.

The Georgian Young Lawyers Association, GYLA, has been working on freedom of information issues for several years. It has also been conducting anti corruption monitoring of various public institutions and has analyzed the practices of court and administrative bodies by exercising the right under freedom of information legislation.

GYLA have presented many recommendations to the government for the improvement of the legal system and putting into practice a system of freedom of information.

Various meetings, presentations, seminars and trainings are scheduled within the week in addressing issues with freedom of information.

Giorgi Chkheidze stated today during a press conference that the aim of the week is that the government and the society discusses and evaluates the experience of years in order to contribute to the establishment of the European standards when it comes to combating corruption.

GYLA will send an official letter to the Georgian parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe within the frameworks of freedom of information and it will call for the adoption of the EC Parliamentary Assembly Convention for the Access to Official Documents.

Giorgi Chkheidze states that the adoption and preservation of the standards regarding freedom of information is more important for Georgia than for established European countries. Moreover, he noted that the COE must adopt a Convention that will require member states not to limit the degree of access under freedom of information legislation.

Source: Medianews