We are pleased that the pressure from the domestic and international public has produced a concrete result, and that the Ministry of Public Administration (MPA) after all recognized the importance of the Law on Free Access to Information (FAI) and postponed the public debate after the coronavirus epidemic.
This year, Montenegro is facing perhaps the biggest challenge in its modern history, thus, it is necessary for each part of the state apparatus to show that it recognizes and accepts responsibility for its decisions. That is why we urged the MPA to understand the seriousness of the situation we are all in, and to request that the public debate on the amendments to this law be postponed until all the necessary conditions are met in order to organize a proper public discussion on this important issue.
Nevertheless, delaying the public debate is only the first step towards what should be a responsible attitude towards reform of the public administration when it comes to its transparency. In this regard, we expect the MPA to continue to work on improving the Law on FAI with all stakeholders, so that at the end of the process, there would be a legislation that protects the public interest, instead of serving as a cover for meeting private and political interests.
In a year when, in addition to remedying the aftermath of the epidemic there are also upcoming parliamentary elections, Montenegro needs a Law on Free Access to Information that is deprived of any abuses and that will ensure that citizens fully enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed right to know in what way their money is spent.
MANS
