To coincide with the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of the States Parties (COSP) taking place in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States from 11 December to 15 December, ARTICLE 19 is launching Using Access to Information to Combat Corruption, a short guide for governments and civil society regarding the implementation of Articles 10 and 13 of the Convention.
Read the short version of the guide
The right of access to information (ATI) empowers individuals and communities to participate in decisions that affect their lives. A fundamental human right and an integral aspect of the right to freedom of expression, ATI is also an important tool for promoting the rule of law, fighting corruption, and enabling other rights, in particular social and economic rights such as the rights to education and to healthcare.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) entered into force in 2003, supporting the ongoing efforts of ATI activists around the world to work with their governments, parliaments, and public administration to pass new laws to promote ATI. Since 2003, the number of countries with national ATI laws has increased significantly – rising to almost 140, about 70% of the UN Member States.
ARTICLE 19’s Guide is an abbreviated version of the organisation’s detailed guide published in 2022, which documents the importance of ATI at transnational and national levels to support efforts preventing corruption, showcasing both existing and emerging practices and providing examples of work carried out by States Parties to the UNCAC, international and civil society organisations, and the private sector to promote ATI. It also highlights how their combined or individual efforts contribute to fighting corruption, improve accountability, and increasing transparency in public life
The UNCAC Coalition, a global network of over 350 civil society organisations in over 100 countries, contributed to and supported the publication of the guide.