The Right to Information and the International Community

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), adopted in 1976, recognizes the right to information as a fundamental human right in Article 19, which states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.

The Aarhus Convention, adopted in 1998, aims to promote environmental protection by ensuring public participation in environmental decision-making and providing access to environmental information. It is a legally binding agreement that sets out a number of rights for the public, including the right to access environmental information, the right to participate in environmental decision-making, and the right to seek justice in environmental matters.

UNESCO is the lead international organization responsible for promoting the right to information worldwide. It does this through a variety of programs and initiatives, including the development of international standards, the provision of technical assistance to countries, and the promotion of public awareness about the importance of the right to information.

The UNESCO Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace, adopted in 2003, aims to promote the use of multilingualism in cyberspace, ensure universal access to cyberspace, and promote the development of local content in cyberspace. It is a non-binding instrument that provides guidance to governments and other stakeholders on how to achieve these objectives.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), adopted in 1976, recognizes the right to information as a key element of the right to freedom of expression in Article 19, which states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.

The Global Initiative for Access to Information (GIAI) is a global network of organizations working to promote the right to information worldwide. It provides technical assistance to countries in implementing right to information laws, raises awareness about the importance of the right to information, and advocates for the adoption of strong right to information laws.

UNESCO has developed a set of principles on the right to information, known as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace. This recommendation provides guidance to governments and other stakeholders on how to implement the right to information in a way that is effective and sustainable.

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a global initiative that brings together governments and civil society organizations to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in government. It does this by encouraging governments to adopt and implement open government reforms, such as making government data more accessible, increasing public participation in decision-making, and strengthening the accountability of government officials.

UNESCO has developed a set of guidelines on the right to information, known as the UNESCO Guidelines on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace. These guidelines provide guidance to governments and other stakeholders on how to implement the right to information in a way that is effective and sustainable.

The International Freedom of Information Day is celebrated on September 28 each year to raise awareness about the importance of the right to information, promote the adoption of strong right to information laws, and encourage governments to implement right to information laws effectively.

UNESCO has developed a set of standards on the right to information, known as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace. These standards provide guidance to governments and other stakeholders on how to implement the right to information in a way that is effective and sustainable.

The Access to Information Programme (AIP) is a global initiative that aims to promote the right to information in developing countries. It provides technical assistance to countries in implementing right to information laws, raises awareness about the importance of the right to information, and advocates for the adoption of strong right to information laws.

UNESCO has developed a set of principles on the right to information for journalists, known as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace. These principles provide guidance to governments and other stakeholders on how to implement the right to information in a way that is effective and sustainable.

The Global Right to Information Rating is an annual assessment of the implementation of the right to information in countries around the world. It aims to promote the adoption of strong right to information laws, encourage governments to implement right to information laws effectively, and raise awareness about the importance of the right to information.

UNESCO has developed a set of guidelines on the right to information for public officials, known as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace. These guidelines provide guidance to governments and other stakeholders on how to implement the right to information in a way that is effective and sustainable.