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<\/a>Transparency International: Proposed Law is an uncostitutional attack on freedom of information<\/p><\/div>\n
The proposed law would allow the government to declare information classified if its disclosure would affect a government body\u2019s ability to function. It would also remove controls over the manner in which state bodies declare information classified. These amendments are not in accordance with the Montenegrin constitution or international agreements that bind Montenegro, including:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Article 19, paragraph 3 of the\u00a0International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights<\/strong><\/a>;<\/li>\n
- Article 10, paragraph 2 of the\u00a0European Convention on Human Rights<\/strong><\/a>;<\/li>\n
- Article 3 of the\u00a0Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents<\/strong><\/a>, which Montenegro has ratified but has not yet come into force.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of Transparency International<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cIf the Government adopts this draft law, it would make it almost impossible for media and civil society to detect corruption and other violations of the law,\u201d said Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of Transparency International. \u201cUnder no circumstances should the ability of a government agency to function in a corrupt manner beneath a shroud of secrecy be protected under the law. The lack of public debate or expert consultation in drafting the proposed amendments is also deeply troubling,\u201d added Ferreira Rubio.<\/p>\n
Under pressure from the public and the international community, the\u00a0Government of Montenegro has begun establishing a working group for drafting amendments to the Law on Free Access to Information. However, the proposed amendments to the Law on Classified Information would substantially limit access to information and obstruct any progress made by the other law.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five\u00a0NGOs have already joined MANS in\u00a0publicly calling on the government<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to withdraw the draft law.<\/p>\n
\u201cEuropean Commission reports and European Parliament resolutions have repeatedly urged the Government of Montenegro to increase the transparency of its work and increase the public\u2019s access to information. The government’s\u00a0National Action Plan<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with the Open Government Partnership includes commitments in this area,\u201d said Vanja Calovic, Executive Director of MANS. \u201cIf such a draft law were to be adopted it would go completely against these recommendations and represent a huge step backwards for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
For any press enquiries please contact:<\/strong>
\nMichael Hornsby
\nE:\u00a0press@transparency.org
\nT: +49 30 34 38 20 666<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Transparency International, together with its chapter in Montenegro, MANS, urges the Government of Montenegro to withdraw its\u00a0amendments to the Law on Classified Information, which would undermine the country\u2019s freedom of information laws and anti-corruption efforts. The government should organize a public hearing on the matter and harmonize the document with the country\u2019s constitution, international standards<\/p>\n
- Article 10, paragraph 2 of the\u00a0European Convention on Human Rights<\/strong><\/a>;<\/li>\n