By Indicator detail

Please find below the lists of indicators that have been used to analyse each law. You can click on each of them and you will get the result for that indicator in each country.

Country	Description	Scoring instructions	Max score	Finding	Points	Article	Comments
Afghanistan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	6(3) The applicant is not required to give reasons for requesting the information or to name specific documents. ...
Albania	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	1(1) Any person enjoys the right to access public information, not being subject to explain the motives.
Andorra	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	"Article 8.2) The exercise of the right of access is not conditioned on the concurrence of a personal interest, it is not subject to motivation and does not require the invocation of any rule Right of access.Article 13, 3) The application may be submitted. The applicant is not obliged to motivate them request for access. 3. The applicant is not obliged to give reasons for his / her request for access" "Article 8.2) L’exercici del dret d’accés no està condicionat a la concurrència d’un interès personal, no resta subjecte a motivació i no requereix la invocació de cap norma Dret d’accésArticle 13, 3) The application may be submitted. The applicant is not obliged to motivate their request for access. 3. La persona sol·licitant no està obligada a motivar la seva sol·licitud d’accés."
Antigua and Barbuda	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	17(4) The reason for a request for information made to a public authority irrelevant for the purpose of deciding whether the information should be provided.
Argentina	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	ARTÍCULO 4° — Legitimación activa. Toda persona humana o jurídica, pública o privada, tiene derecho a solicitar y recibir información pública, no pudiendo exigirse al solicitante que motive la solicitud, que acredite derecho subjetivo o interés legítimo o que cuente con patrocinio letrado.
Armenia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	9(4) The applicant does not have to justify the inquiry.
Australia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	11(2) Subject to this Act, a persons right of access is not affected by: (a) any reasons the person gives for seeking access; or (b) the agency's or Minister's belief as to what are his or her reasons for seeking access.
Austria	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	7 (1) Access to information may be requested in writing, orally or by telephone, in any technically possible and intended form. (2) The information must be described as precisely as possible. The applicant may be ordered to provide a written version of a request made orally or by telephone if the content or scope of the information requested is not sufficiently clear from the request.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests. The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Azerbaijan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	15.5. The applicant shall not be obliged to substantiate the need to obtain information, except for the cases specified in Articles 15.3, 21.2.1, 22.4 and 24.3 of this Law.	Reasons are only required where this is legitimate for example because information to address a threat to life is needed.
Bahamas	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Section 6. General right of access. (4) An applicant for access to a record shall not be required to give any reason for requesting access to the record.
Bangladesh	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	8(2): "The request made under sub-section (1) shall include the following information, namely:- (i) name, address of the person making request, in applicable cases, his fax number and email address; (ii) correct and clear description of the information sought for; (iii) other related information so that the location of the information sought for may be easily found out; (iv) description of the modes how he wants to have the information, that is making inspection, having copy, taking note or any other approved method;"	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Belgium	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Loi n° 94-1724, Article 5: ".... La demande indique clairement la matière concernée, et si possible, les documents administratifs concernés ..."	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests. The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Belize	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	SECTION 12(2) Subject to subsection (3), a request shall provide such information concerning the document as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the Ministry or prescribed authority, as the case may be, to identify the document.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests. The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Art.11 4. "A public authority shall neither require nor ask for any reason or justification for the request."
Brazil	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 10. Paragraph 3. Any requirements related to the reasons determining the request of non-classified information are forbidden.
Bulgaria	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	25(1) The application for access to public information shall contain: 1. full name, or respectively the business name and the seat of the applicant; 2. description of the information requested; 3. the preferred form of access to the requested information; 4. the address for correspondence with the applicant	The law does not require providing reasons for requests and has always been interpreted as not requiring reasons for requests. But it would be better if it explicitly stated that reasons were not required.
Burkina Faso	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 18: Sous peine d’irrecevabilité, toute demande d’accès ou de réutilisation d’informations publiques ou de documents administratifs doit : - fournir les détails nécessaires pour permettre au responsable du service chargé de l’accès à l’information et aux documents d’identifier l’information ou le document recherché ; - préciser la période ou le délai dans lequel le document ou l’information est utilement attendu par le demandeur..	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in 18. The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Canada	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	6 A request for access to a record under this Act shall be made in writing to the government institution that has control of the record and shall provide sufficient detail to enable an experienced employee of the institution to identify the record with a reasonable effort.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests. The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Cape Verde	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	5(1) Everyone, without the need to state any interest, has the right of access to documents and administrative information, which includes the rights of consultation, reproduction and information about their existence and content.
Chile	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	ARTICLE 11. El derecho de acceso a la información de los órganos de la Administración del Estado reconoce, entre otros, los siguientes principios:(...) g) Principio de la no discriminación, de acuerdo al que los órganos de la Administración del Estado deberán entregar información a todas las personas que lo soliciten, en igualdad de condiciones, sin hacer distinciones arbitrarias y sin exigir expresión de causa o motivo para la solicitud.
Cook Islands	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	11(1) Any qualified person may request a Ministry or Minister of the Crown or organisation to make available to him or her or it, any specified official information. (2) The offlcial information requested shall be specified with due particularity in the request. (3) If the person making the request asks that his request be treated as· urgent, he shall give his reasons for seeking the information urgently.	11(3) requirement for reasons only for urgent requests implies that reasons are not required in regular cases.
Costa Rica	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	3. Requisitos. La solicitud de acceso a la información pública requerirá que la persona brinde la descripción clara de lo que se solicita y señale un medio para recibir notificaciones. En caso de no describirse con claridad lo solicitado, en el plazo de 3 días contado a partir de la recepción de la petición, el funcionario encargado deberá requerir al solicitante que subsane dicho requisito y para ello, contará con el plazo de 5 días hábiles a partir de la notificación de la prevención. En caso que, una persona presente barreras para la formulación de la solicitud de información, la Administración a la que se dirige la petición, brindará la ayuda necesaria al petente, sin discriminación alguna.	Not expressly forbidden but the Constitutional Court has also affirmed this (Resolución n.° 8121-1997 del 28 de noviembre de 1997, " En todo caso la regla es que la información que consta en las dependencias administrativas es pública, de manera que a ella tiene acceso toda persona que así lo requiera, sin que sea necesario que exprese el motivo por el cual lo pide.") As excerpted at https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Sujeto_activo.pdf . See also Res. 7918-1999 and several other cases cited at https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Obligaciones_solicitante.pdf ("....a autoridad recurrida no debe condicionar la respuesta de la petición con el hecho de que se informe para qué fines se requiere la información)
Croatia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Art.18.4.:The submitter of the request shall not be obliged to mention any reasons for requesting access to information, nor referring to this Law.
Cyprus	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	9(1) Αίτηση για παροχή πληροφοριών προς δημόσια αρχή δυνάμει των διατάξεων του παρόντος Νόμου, υποβάλλεται σε γραπτή μορφή και περιλαμβάνει τα ακόλουθα στοιχεία: (α) Το όνομα του αιτητή, (β) τη διεύθυνση επικοινωνίας του αιτητή, και (γ) περιγραφή των πληροφοριών που ζητούνται:...	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Czech Republic	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	N/A	The constitutional frame in Czech republic sets, that the obligations shall be done only by law. When the obligation to "provide reasons for their requests" is not set, it means, that requesters are not required to provide it.
Denmark	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	4.3. Any request made under the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall specify the documents or case in which the person requesting access is interested.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
East Timor	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 10 Requirement of access All interested parties, without having to invoke any interest, must to the competent government official or to the director of the entities referred to in Article 1, in order to access the content and information of official documents must file an application.
Ecuador	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 19 De la Solicitud y sus Requisitos.- El interesado a acceder a la información pública que reposa, manejan o producen las personas jurídicas de derecho público y demás entes señalados en el artículo 1 de la presente Ley, deberá hacerlo mediante solicitud escrita ante el titular de la institución. En dicha solicitud deberá constar en forma clara la identificación del solicitante y la ubicación de los datos o temas motivo de la solicitud, la cual será contestada en el plazo señalado en el artículo 9 de esta Ley.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
El Salvador	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	ARTICLE 2 Toda persona tiene derecho a solicitar y recibir información generada, administrada o en poder de las instituciones públicas y demás entes obligados de manera oportuna y veraz, sin sustentar interés o motivación alguna. ARTICLE 9 El ejercicio de los derechos establecidos en esta ley corresponde a toda persona, por sí o por medio de su representante, sin necesidad de acreditar interés legítimo o derecho precedente. ARTICLE 66 "(...)En ningún caso la entrega de información estará condicionada a que se motive o justifique su utilización, ni se requerirá demostrar interés alguno.(...)"
Estonia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	14(1) A request for information shall set out the following information orally or in writing: 1) the given name and surname of the person making the request for information; 2) the name of the legal person or agency in the case of a request for information made on behalf of an agency or legal person; 3) the contact details of the person making the request for information (postal or electronic mail address, or fax or telephone number), through which the holder of information could release the information or contact the person making the request for information; 4) the content of the information or the type, name and content of the document requested, or the requisite information on the document known to the person making the request for information; 5) the manner of complying with the request for information.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Ethiopia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	14(2) In presenting a request for information, no one shall be required to provide reasons for the request.
Fiji	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 6(3) A request made under subsection (1) must - (a) be made in the form prescribed by regulations made under this Act; (b) specify the public agency with which the information is held; (c) specify the particulars of the information requested or such other particulars as are necessary for the identification of the information requested; (d) subject to section 12, specify the form preferred by the person making the request for accessing the information; (e) comply with any other requirement of the Commission.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in 6(3)(b) and 6(3)(c). The list is reasonably complete so benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Finland	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	[Principles of Openness] Article 13(1) A request for access to an official document shall be sufficiently detailed, so that the authority can determine which document the request concerns. The person requesting access shall be assisted, by means of official diaries and indexes, to specify the document to which access is being requested. The person requesting access need not identify himself/herself nor provide reasons for the request, unless this is necessary for the exercise of the authority's discretion or for determining if the person requesting access has the right of access to the document.	Reasons not required unless "necessary for the exercise of the authority's discretion or for determining if the person requesting access has the right of access to the document."
Gambia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	12. (4) Subject to sub-sections (5)(b) and (c), a requester shall not be required to provide a justification or reason for requesting any information. (5) A request under sub-section (1) shall -- (a) provide such details concerning the information requested as are reasonably necessary to enable the Information Officer to identify the information. (b) if the requester believes that the information is necessary to safeguard the life or liberty of a person, include a statement to that effect, including the basis for that belief; (c) state the nature of the form in which the requester prefers access; and (d) if the request is made on behalf of another person, include an authorization from such person.
Georgia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 37.2 "A person shall submit a written application for public information. It is not necessary for the statement to indicate the motive or purpose of the request for the public information. When filing an application for a trade secret of another, the applicant, except in cases provided by law, shall submit the notarised consent of the relevant person or an administrative body."	Reasons not required.
Ghana	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	1(3) A person may apply for information without giving a reason for the application.
Guatemala	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Artículo 38. Procedimiento de acceso a la información pública. El procedimiento para el acceso a la información pública se inicia mediante solicitud verbal, escrita o vía electrónica que deberá formular el interesado al sujeto obligado, a través de la Unidad de Información. El modelo de solicitud de información tendrá el propósito de facilitar el acceso a la información pública, pero no constituirá un requisito de procedencia para ejercer el derecho de acceso a la información pública. La persona de la Unidad de Información que reciba la solicitud no podrá alegar incompetencia o falta de autorización para recibirla, debiendo obligadamente, bajo su responsabilidad, remitirla inmediatamente a quien corresponda. El procedimiento de acceso a la información no perjudicará, limitará o sustituirá el derecho a presenciar u observar los actos de los sujetos obligados, ni limitará el derecho a solicitar información a los sujetos obligados en la forma contemplada en otras leyes, ni la realización de solicitudes de información que pudieran hacerse ante entes cuya naturaleza es de publicidad frente a terceros en donde por principio de especialidad se deberá acudir a través de los trámites correspondientes.	Article 38 - no requirement for reasons.
Guinea	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	2(3) Tout citoyen peut demander et obtenir un accès à l'information et aux documents administratifs, sans avoir à justifier le motif de la demande. 15. Le demandeur d'accès à l'information n'est pas tenu de mentionner dans la demande d'accès, les motifs ou l'intérêt justifiant sa demande.
Guyana	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	16(1) A person who wishes to obtain access to an official document shall make a request in the form - (a) set out in the Schedule; or (b) on the website of, or by other electronic means to, the Commissioner of Information. (2) A request shall identify the official document, or provide sufficient detail to enable the Commissioner of Information or an officer of the public authority who is familiar with the relevant documents, to identify the document with reasonable effort.	No reasons are included in the list of information to be included in 16(2) so benefit of the doubt given. In addition, the optional form to be used for access requests is included as a schedule to the legislation and does not list a requirement for reasons.
Honduras	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	ARTICULO 20. SOLICITUD. La solicitud de acceso a la información publica deberá presentarse por escrito o por medios electrónicos, indicándose con claridad los detalles específicos de la información solicitada, sin motivación ni formalidad alguna. Esta disposición no facultara al solicitante para copiar total o parcialmente las bases de datos. En caso de que el solicitante sea persona jurídica, deberá acreditar además de su existencia legal, el poder suficiente de quien actúa a nombre de esta.
Iceland	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 10. Anyone requesting access to material shall specify the particular material which they wish to study. On the other hand, they may request to study all of the material on a certain matter without specifying any particular material concerning it. A government authority may stipulate that a request for access to material be made in writing, as well as being submitted on a form provided by the authority. When access is requested to material concerning an issue in which a decision is to be taken or has been taken on individual rights or obligations, the request shall be directed to the government authority which has taken or is due to take a decision on the issue. In other instances, the request shall be directed to the authority safekeeping the material.
India	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 6(2) An applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him.
Iran	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 7. Public institution shall not demand justification or reasons from the applicant for the submitted requests.	Points awarded, though it's not entirely clear whether Article 7 applies to the entire law, or only to requests for personal information.
Ireland	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 13(4) Subject to this Act, in deciding whether to grant or refuse to grant an FOI request - (a) any reason that the requester gives for the request, and (b) any belief or opinion of the head as to what are the reasons of the requester for the request, shall be disregarded.
Israel	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	7(1) A request for information shall submitted in writing to the person responsible, or to the person authorized by the person responsible; the applicant (person making the request) shall not be required to state the reason for his request.
Italy	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 5(3) The exercise of the right referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 is not subject to any restriction as far as the applicants' credentials are concerned. The application for public access shall specify which data, information or documents are requested giving no reason in relation thereto. The application may be sent either electronically in accordance with the modalities set out in Legislative Decree n. 82 of 7 March 2005 as subsequently modified, or directly to one of the following offices: (a) the office holding the data, information or documents; (b) the public relation office; (c) any other office indicated by the administration in the section "Transparent Administration" of its institutional website (d) the person in charge of preventing corruption and guaranteeing transparency, if the application concerns data, information or documents the publication of which, pursuant to this decree, is mandatory.
Ivory Coast	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	11. Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics présente une requête écrite à l’organisme concerné dans laquelle elle décline son identité et sa qualité. La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d’identifier l’information recherchée. Un accusé de réception est délivré au requérant. Lorsque la demande n’est pas suffisamment précise ou lorsqu’une personne requiert une assistance pour identifier le document susceptible de contenir les renseignements recherchés, le responsable est tenu de lui prêter son concours. Le requérant n’est pas tenu de motiver sa demande.
Jamaica	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Article 6(3) An applicant for access to an official document shall not be required to give any reason for requesting access to that document.
Japan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	4 (Procedure for Disclosure Request) (1) A request for disclosure pursuant to the provision of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as a "Disclosure Request.") shall be made by submitting a document describing the matters listed in the following items (hereinafter referred to as the "Written Disclosure Request.") to the head of an Administrative Organ. (i) Name and domicile or residence of the person making the Disclosure Request, and the name of a representative in the case of a juridical person or other entities. (ii) Name of the Administrative Documents or other matters sufficient for specifying the Administrative Documents pertaining to the Disclosure Request. (...)	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Kazakhstan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	7(1) Information user has the right to: [...] (5) receive information without an obligation to explain the necessity; [...]
Kenya	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	4(2) Subject to this Act, every citizen's right to access information is not affected by - (a) any reason the person gives for seeking access; or (b) the public entity's belief as to what are the person's reasons for seeking access.
Kosovo	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	10(5) The applicant requesting a public document is not obliged to provide reasons for the use of public documents in order to access public documents.
Kyrgyzstan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	16.2 The applicant may provide any other information that he believes may assist in the processing of his request, but is not obliged to state the reasons for his request.
Latvia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Section 10. Duty to Provide Information "<...> (3) Generally accessible information shall be provided also on the basis of an application from a private person. Such information shall be provided to anyone who wishes to receive it, subject to the equal rights of persons to obtain information. The applicant shall not be required to specially justify his or her interest in generally accessible information, and he or she may not be denied it because such information does not apply to the applicant.<...>"
Lebanon	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	14: Submitting the request: A – The request to obtain information shall be submitted in writing to the administration possessing the information. Said request shall include sufficient details to enable the appointed employee to retrieve the information with little effort. B – The person submitting the request shall adopt an elected place of residence of which he shall inform the administration upon submitting the request. D – If the request was not sufficiently precise, the appointed employee shall ask the person who submitted it for the necessary clarifications and shall assist him by all means available.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Liberia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	3.5: "Reason for Request: The right to request information is independent of personal interest in the information, and no one shall be asked or required to provide a justification or reason for requesting any information."
Lithuania	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Right to Obtain Information From State and Municipal Institutions and Agencies, 12. Submitting a Request "1. In order to obtain information from an institution, an applicant shall submit a request. The request shall indicate the type of information or document requested by the applicant, the applicant's name, surname, place of residence (where the applicant is a natural person) or the name, company number, head office address (where the applicant is a legal person) and contact details. If information is requested by the representative of the applicant, the request shall indicate the name, surname and address of the representative, the document confirming representation and the applicant for whom the request is made. The request form shall be published on the website of the institution.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Luxembourg	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	A3: Sans préjudice d’autres dispositions légales qui règlent l’accès à des documents détenus par les organismes visés à l’article 1er, paragraphe 1er, ces derniers sont tenus de communiquer les documents qu’ils détiennent et qui sont accessibles en vertu de la présente loi, quel que soit leur support, à toute personne physique ou morale qui en fait la demande sans que celle-ci ne soit obligée de faire valoir un intérêt.
Maldives	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	6(a) A request for information from a State Institute must be made to the Information Officer of that office in writing and must: (1) State that the request for information is made under this Act; (2) Provide such details concerning that information as is reasonably necessary to identify it; (3) Specify an address where documents to be given to the applicant under this Act shall be sent to; (4) Be accompanied by the fee payable under the rules promulgated by that State Institute for access to such information; or give assurance of payment upon request by that State Institute. (5) Specify the name, address and phone number of the person submitting the request. 6(c) "A State Institute may prepare and introduce a specific form by which requests for information as according to this Act will be submitted..."6(e) The form mentioned in subsection (c) of this section shall not compel to provide any information except those specified in subsection (a) of this section.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Malta	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Art. 6. "(2) No applicant shall be required to justify or give any reasons for a request under this Act, and any beliefs of public authorities as to what are the applicant's reasons for seeking access shall not affect that request."
Mexico	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 16. The right of access to information will not be conditional upon the applicant showing any interest or justifying its use, nor it may be conditioned on grounds of disability. Article 124. In order to submit a request, no other requirements may be required than: (I). Name or, if necessary, general data of his/her representative; (II). Address or means for receiving notifications; (III). The description of the requested information; (IV). Any other information that facilitates its search and eventual location, and (V). The preferred mode to be granted the access to information, which may be verbal, provided it is for guidance purposes, by direct consultation, by issuing simple or certified copies or the reproduction through any other means, including electronic. Where appropriate, the applicant shall state the accessible format or the indigenous language in which the information is required according to what is stated in this Act. The information in sections I and IV will be provided by the applicant as an option and, in no case, may be a mandatory prerequisite for the admissibility of the application.
Moldova	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	10 Rights of requesting parties (3) Any person requesting access to information in accordance with the present law is under no obligation to justify his/her interest for the requested information.
Monaco	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	A22: Toute personne physique ou morale peut adresser à une autorité administrative mentionnée à l’article 2 une demande en vue de consulter un document administratif détenu par cette autorité et n’ayant pas donné lieu à une publication au Journal de Monaco , ni fait l’objet d’une diffusion publique par tout moyen, y compris électronique. A23: La demande est adressée par écrit à l’autorité administrative et comporte tous éléments pertinents permettant l’identification du document administratif concerné. Il en est accusé réception.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests. The list is incomplete since it mentions only sufficient information to identify the requested document, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Mongolia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	12.1. An information requesting party shall have the following rights in exercising his/her rights: 12.1.3. shall not have obligation to explain the need and ground of requesting information;
Montenegro	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 4. "disclosure of the information shall be any inspection of the contents of information by applicants or third persons, regardless of the purpose for their use;"
Morocco	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	14(1) Les informations sont obtenues sur la base d'une demande formulée par l'intéressé selon un modèle établi par la commission visée à l'article 22 ci-dessous. La demande doit mentionner le nom, prénom du demandeur, son adresse postale, le numéro de sa carte nationale d'identité ou, lorsqu'il s'agit d'un étranger, le numéro du document attestant de la régularité de son séjour sur le territoire marocain conformément à la législation en vigueur et, le cas échéant, son adresse électronique, ainsi que les informations qu'il souhaite obtenir.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Mozambique	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	10(2) Open government/Public Administration is based on freedom of access to public documents and archives without requiring the applicant to demonstrate legitimate and direct interest, or the purpose for which the information is intended, save for the restrictions contained in the present Act and other legislation.	Reasons generally are not required. Although there is a carve-out for "restrictions contained in the present Act and other legislation", benefit of the doubt given. It's possible this is referring to the need for consent for private information (27(2)).
Netherlands	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Section 3.3 \"The applicant is not required to declare an interest in the application.\"
New Zealand	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	N/A	OQR Vol 12, iss 2, June 2007, page 1: "In making and considering official information requests, requesters and agencies alike should bear in mind that: there is no requirement in the OIA and LGOIMA for a requester to specify the reasons for their request and failure to provide reasons for a request does not provide grounds to refuse that request"
Nicaragua	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Artículo 28.- Es obligación de las autoridades correspondientes dar respuesta a las solicitudes que se les presenten, de manera inmediata o dentro de un plazo no mayor de quince días hábiles, contados a partir de la fecha de presentada la solicitud. En ningún caso la entrega de información estará condicionada a que se motive o justifique su utilización, ni se requerirá demostrar interés alguno.	Art 28 provides this protection.
Nigeria	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	1(2) An applicant herein need not demonstrate any specific interest in the information being applied for.
North Macedonia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Art.16 "(4) The requester shall not be obliged to provide justification to its request, but it shall have to state that it is submitting a request for access to information."
Pakistan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	11(5) In no case shall an applicant be required to provide reasons for his request.
Panama	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Artículo 2: Toda persona tiene derecho a solicitar, sin necesidad de sustentar justificación o motivación alguna, la información de acceso público en poder o en conocimiento de las instituciones indicadas en la presente Ley. Las empresas privadas que suministren servicios públicos con carácter de exclusividad, están obligadas a proporcionar la información que les sea solicitada por los usuarios del servicio, respecto de éste.
Paraguay	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 4. Scope and gratuity. Any person, without discrimination of any kind, you can access public information, free of charge and without any need to justify the reasons for formulating your order according to the procedure established by this Law.
Peru	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	7 Legitimación y requerimiento inmotivado: Toda persona tiene derecho a solicitar y recibir información de cualquier entidad de la Administración Pública. En ningún caso se exige expresión de causa para el ejercicio de este derecho. Constitution of Peru 2 Every person has the right: 5. To request, without statement of a cause, information he requires, and to receive it from any public entity within the legal term, at its respective cost. (...)	Article 7 – an "expression of cause" is not required. Also guaranteed by Article 2(5) of the Constitution of Peru.
Poland	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	2(2) The person exercising the right to public information cannot be demanded to reveal the legal or factual purpose.
Portugal	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Art 5: Everyone shall possess the right of access to administrative documents without the need to state any interest, to include the rights of consultation, reproduction, and information as to the administrative documents' existence and content.
Romania	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 6: "(1) Any individual has the right to request and obtain from public authorities and institutions, under the conditions of the present law, information of public interest. […] (3) The written request of public interest information shall contain the following elements: a) the public authority to which the application is addressed; b) the requested information so as to enable the public authority or institution to identify public interest information; c) name, surname and signature of the applicant, as well as the address where the response is requested."	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Russia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 18(2): The request should specify the mailing address, telephone number and (or) fax number or e-mail address for forwarding the response to the request or clarification of the contents of the request, as well as the surname, name and patronymic of the citizen (natural person) or name of the organization (legal entity), public association, government body, or body of local self-government requesting information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government. Anonymous requests are not considered. The written request should also include the name of the government body or body of local self-government to which the request is forwarded, or surname and initials or position of the corresponding official.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	9(1)	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests in 9(1). The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
San Marino	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	25(1). Citizens of San Marino, foreign citizens residing or staying in the Republic and legal persons, associations, foundations and bodies having their registered office in the Republic may have access to the administrative documents in the possession of the Administration also independently from the purpose of protecting qualified and differentiated legal positions and without the need to justify the request for access. The exercise of access is guaranteed and regulated by the following provisions and by the implementing regulations of this law. They are, however, subject to the special rules. Regulation of 2 December 2015, No. 16, 9(1-2). 1. The obligation of the Administration to publish documents, information or data as set out in the above articles entails the right of anyone to request those things in cases where their publication has been omitted through the exercise of civic access in accordance with the provisions of this article. 2. The request for civic access is not subject to any limitation as to the subjective legitimacy of the applicant, does not have to be justified, is free of charge and must be submitted to the person identified as the Manager of Transparency who reports the request to the DGFP for the purposes of the provisions of Article 11.
Serbia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	15 Paragraph 4: The applicant need not list the reasons for the request.
Seychelles	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	9(4) Subject to subsections (5)(b) and (c), a requester shall not be required to provide a justification or reason for requesting any information.
Sierra Leone	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	3. (1) A request for information under section 2 shall (a) be made in writing; (b) describe the information requested; and (c) provide an address, which may be an email, for purposes of correspondence.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Slovakia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Section 3 \"(3) Access to information shall be provided without any need to prove legal or other reason or interest for which information is required.\"
Slovenia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Art 17. "(3) The applicant is not required to give the legal grounds for the request or expressly characterize it as a request for the access to public information. If it is evident from the nature of the request that the latter concerns access to public information under this Act, the body shall consider the request pursuant to this Act."
South Africa	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	11(3) A requester’s right of access contemplated in subsection (1) is, subject to this Act, not affected by— (a) any reasons the requester gives for requesting access; or (b) the information officer’s belief as to what the requester’s reasons are for requesting access.
South Korea	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	10(1) Any person who intends to make a request for disclosing information (hereinafter referred to as the "applicant") may submit a written request for disclosing information containing the following information or make an oral request for information disclosure to any public institution that holds or manages the relevant information: 1. The name, resident registration number, address, and contact details (referring to telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, etc.) of the applicant; 2. Details of the information, the disclosure of which is requested by the applicant and methods for disclosing the information.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Sri Lanka	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Section 24(5) A citizen making a request for information shall: (d) not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him or her.
Sudan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	10(b) The request for information shall be submitted in writing to the information officer at the public institution, and this application shall include a description of the details to determine whether the public institution maintains a document that contains this information; if the public institution indeed maintains that information, it shall be turned over to the applicant in accordance with article 11,	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests in 10(b). The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Sweden	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Chapter 2, Article 14, Paragraph 3 of the Freedom of Press Act: "No public authority is permitted to inquire into a person’s identity on account of a request to examine an official document, or inquire into the purpose of his or her request, except insofar as such inquiry is necessary to enable the authority to judge whether there is any obstacle to release of the document."
Switzerland	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 10 (Access Application) Section 3: "The application must be formulated in a sufficiently accurate manner;" ORDINANCE ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION. Section 3. Application for Access to Public Documents and Competencies. Article. 7 (Content of the application). Section 1 "An application for access to an official document may be submitted in any form without stating the grounds. Ordinance on the Principle of Freedom of Information in Public Administration, Article 7, Section 1."	Any individual can access an official document unconditionally, notably without having to justify their interest.
Tajikistan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	10 (1) Requesting information is entitled to:...b) does not justify the need to obtain the requested information, if such a justification is not required to clarify the content of the request and unless otherwise provided by law;	Reasons are generally not required. There is a carve out ("unless otherwise provided by law") which is vague, but benefit of the doubt given.
Tanzania	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Regulation 6. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 10 of the Act, a person requesting access to information shall not be required by an information holder to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details other than those that may be necessary for communication with that person.
Thailand	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Section 11. If any person making a request for any official information other than the official information already published in the Government Gazette or already made available for public inspection or already made available for public studies under section 26 and such request makes a reasonably apprehensible mention of the intended information, the responsible State agency shall provide it to such person within a reasonable period of time, unless the request is made for an excessive amount or frequently without reasonable cause. If any official information is in a condition which can be easily damaged. a State agency may request for an extension of the period for its provision or may provide copies thereof in any such condition as to avoid damage thereto. The official information provided by the State agency under paragraph one must be the information already subsisting in the condition ready for distribution without requiring new preparation, analysis, classification, compilation or creation, unless it is the case of transformation into a document from the information recorded in the visual or sound recording system, computer system or any other system as determined by the Board. If the State agency is of the opinion that the request is not for the benefit of trade and is necessary for the protection of the rights and liberties of such person or is beneficial to the public, the State agency may provide such information. The provisions of paragraph three shall not prevent the State agency from creating new official information available to the person making the request if it is consistent with the usual powers and duties of such State agency. The provisions of section 9 paragraph two, paragraph three and paragraph four shall apply mutatis mutandis to the provision of the information under this section.	Section 11 of the OIA. The website of Official Information Commission (OIC) provides a request form, which clearly says that requesters need to provide no reason for their requests
Togo	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	8 : (1) Toute personne qui souhaite accéder aux informations et aux documents publics, présente une requête écrite accompagnée de la photocopie d'une pièce d'identité en cours de validité à l'organisme concerné. (2) La requête est rédigée en langue française et comporte des données permettant raisonnablement d'identifier l'information recherchée.	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests. The list is incomplete since it does not mention a means for delivering information, but benefit of the doubt given. It would be better, however, if reasons were explicitly not required.
Trinidad and Tobago	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	21. (4) In deciding whether to refuse, under subsection (1), to grant access to documents, a public authority shall not have regard to - (a) any reasons that the applicant gives for requesting access; or (b) the public authority's belief as to what are the applicant's reasons for requesting access.	21(4)(b) provides some protection in this regard, and the prescribed form has no space for "reasons:
Tunisia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Art. 11 - Le demandeur d’accès à l’information n’est pas tenu de mentionner dans la demande d’accès, les motifs ou l’intérêt justifiant sa demande.
Turkey	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Article 6: "The application for the access to information is made through a petition that includes the name, surname, residence or the work address of the applicant and the signature; where the applicant is a company, its title and the address, and the signature of the authorised person together with a certificate of authorisation, to the institution that possesses the information or the document.[...]. The information and the document that is required must be specified in the petition."	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Uganda	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	6. Access to information and records. A person's right of access is, subject to this Act, not affected by – (a) any reason the person gives for requesting access; or (b) the information officer's belief as to what the person's reasons are for requesting access.	Not specifically protected, but Art 6 makes reasons, perceived or stated, irrelevant.
Ukraine	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	19.2 A requester shall have the right to address the information administrator with information request regardless of whether this information concerns him/her personally or not and without having to explain the reasons for submitting the request.
United Kingdom	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	Section 8: "(1) In this Act any reference to a "request for information" is a reference to such a request which-- (a) is in writing, b) states the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence, and (c) describes the information requested. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a request is to be treated as made in writing where the text of the request-- (a) is transmitted by electronic means, (b) is received in legible form, and (c) is capable of being used for subsequent reference."	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Uruguay	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	2	Artículo 3º. (Derecho de acceso a la información pública).- El acceso a la información pública es un derecho de todas las personas, sin discriminación por razón de nacionalidad o carácter del solicitante, y que se ejerce sin necesidad de justificar las razones por las que se solicita la información.
Vanuatu	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	13(3) A Government agency or a relevant private entity must not deny access to information based on: (a) any of the applicants reasons as to why the application is being made; or (b) any opinion of an official as to the applicant’s reason for applying.	The law prevents denials based on a person's reason for filing a request. It would be better to not require requesters to provide reasons, but full points given.
Yemen	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	7: "All natural and legal persons have the right to apply for access to information and there should not be any legal accountability from the submission of this application." 15: "A request for access to the information in writing shall be done in accordance with the form designed for this purpose to the party whom the applicant believes it possesses the information, including the applicant's name and address of residence and work location; and this request must contain sufficient details that would enable the employee in charge to extract the information while the request for the application to access to information shall be done via Instant mail or postal mail or through direct attendance to the source of access to information or the National Center for Information; and in all cases, the application will be submitted upon the form approved for that."	Reasons are not listed among the information to be included in requests, but it would be better if they were explicitly not required.
Zambia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	YES	2	6(2)
Benin	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	78: Tout citoyen qui veut obtenir un renseignement ou un document auprès d’un organisme public en formule la demande. Cette demande est écrite ou verbale. Lorsqu’il s’agit d’une consultation sur place, la demande verbale est assortie d’un écrit.	Reasons are not mentioned, and as the law is vague about what is to be included in a request, this is not very clear, but some benefit of the doubt given.
Bolivia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Reasons are not mentioned, and as the law is not clear about what is to be included in a request, this is not very clear, but some benefit of the doubt given.
China	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	29 . . . Applications for open government information shall include the following content: (1) The applicant's name [person or entity],proof of identification, and contact method; (2) The applied for government information's name, document number, or other characteristic descriptions conducive to the administrative organs inquiry. (3) Format requirements for applications to disclose government information, including the means and channels through which the information is to be received. 35 Where the number or frequency of applicants' applications to disclose government information clearly exceed reasonable limits, administrative organs may request that the applicants explain the reasons. Where administrative organs find that the reasons for the applications are not reasonable, they are to inform the applicant that they will not handle them; where administrative organs find that the reasons for the applications are reasonable, but that they are unable to respond to the applicants within the time provided in article 33 of this Regulation, they may determine a reasonably extended period for responding and inform the applicants.	The required information to be included in an application does not mention a reason for the request, but it is not prohibited either. The required information to be included in an application does not mention a reason for the request, but it is not prohibited either. Also, if officials believe the number or frequency of requests "clearly exceed reasonable limits" they can inquire into the reasons for the requests, and decide not to answer the request if the reasons given are not deemed reasonable.
Colombia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	Law 1712 Art. 25: Solicitud Access to Public Information. It is one that, in oral or written form, including electronically, you can make any person to access public information. Paragraph. In no case may be rejected the petition on the grounds of inadequate or incomplete foundation. ... Law 1437 ARTICLE 16 . CONTENTS OF REQUESTS All requests shall contain, at least: The designation of the authority that goes. The full names of the applicant and his representative agent, if any, indicating their identity and the address where you receive mail. The petitioner may add the fax number or email address. If the petitioner is a private person required to be registered in the commercial register, you will be required to indicate your email address. The object of the request. The grounds on which bases its request. The relationship of the requirements of the law and the documents to be submitted to begin the process. The signature of the petitioner as the case may be. PARAGRAPH. Authority has an obligation to fully consider the request, and in any case deemed incomplete for lack of requirements or documents that are not within the existing legal framework and which are not necessary to resolve it.	According to article 25 par of Law 1712/14, no request can be rejected on grounds of inadequate or incomplete foundings but simultaneously article 16 of Law 1437, 2011 requires motivation as a condition for the request.
France	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not mentioned.
Germany	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	There is no explicit reference to reasons in the FOI law. As the law does not indicate what must be provided with requests, this is unclear, although some benefit of the doubt given.
Greece	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	3(3) For the convenience of the interested parties, application forms are used, which should be provided by the public authorities on all issues within their competence. The forms include the conditions provided for by the legislation for the satisfaction of the request, the applicable provisions, the supporting documents that should be 2 submitted by the interested party, as well as the period of time within which the answer will be given. [...]	The law does not require reasons but also does not explicitly state they are not required. Due to the lack of request procedures and the ability for public authorities to make their own forms, this is not a sufficient guarantee.
Liechtenstein	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	Article 29.1 (law), article 6.2 (regulation).	Every person who can assert a qualified interest (law)-reason only required if the special legislation requires it.
Niger	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Reasons are not mentioned. As the law is not clear about what is to be included in a request, this is not very clear, but some benefit of the doubt given.
Norway	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	28. Requests for access may be made orally or in writing. A request for access must relate to a specific case or within reasonable limits to cases of a specific type…	The law does not require reasons but also does not explicitly state they are not required. The law is not clear about what has to be included in requests, so there is some ambiguity here.
Rwanda	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	Article 9: Information shall be requested by an individual or a group of persons in any of the official languages provided for by the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda verbally, in writing, by telephone, internet or any other means of communication without prejudice to the provisions of this Law. The person applying for information shall determine the means in which he/she wants to obtain information. However, if the means chosen for obtaining the information requested exceeds the capacity of the requested organ, the applicant shall bear the cost.	Reasons are not mentioned. As the law is not clear about what is to be included in a request, this is not very clear, but some benefit of the doubt given.
South Sudan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not mentioned. Under 9(8), public or private bodies are to make available a form for requests which must not "delay" or place an "undue burden" on requesters, but this is vague. But some benefit of the doubt given due to the law's silence on reasons.
Spain	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	Artículo 17. (Solicitud de acceso a la información.): 3. El solicitante no está obligado a motivar su solicitud de acceso a la información. Sin embargo, podrá exponer los motivos por los que solicita la información y que podrán ser tenidos en cuenta cuando se dicte la resolución. No obstante, la ausencia de motivación no será por si sola causa de rechazo de la solicitud.	La redacción utilizada es inadecuada y puede llegar a ser perjudicial para el interesado, dado que, su motivación podré tenerse en cuenta en la resolución. La Ley podría haber utilizado una afirmación sencilla, clara y directa.
United States	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	See p. 3 of the GSA Federal Citizen Information Center guide "Your Right To Federal Records: Questions and Answers on the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act", https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/Your_Right_to_Federal_Records.pdf: "As a general rule, FOIA requesters are not required to state the reasons why they are making their requests"	Not stated in the law. A policy document suggests this is only a "general rule".
Uzbekistan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	9(2) A written application shall contain the name, patronymics, family name, and address of the applicant (for a juridical person – his requisites) and the identification of the information applied for and its features. Applications shall be registered in accordance with the established procedure.	Does not refer to the need for reasons to be provided but also does not rule this out explicitly.
Zimbabwe	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not mentioned and since no mention either of what must be provided on a request - s. 7 just refers to a request in the "prescribed manner" - this cannot rule it out.
Angola	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	10(1) It is forbidden to use information without due respect for copyright, industrial property rights as well as reproduction, dissemination and use of such documents and the information therein contained, which could constitute practices of unfair competition. (2) Personal data communicated to third parties shall not be used for purposes other than those for which access was authorised, and shall otherwise entail liability for losses and damages under the terms laid down in the law." 2(1) This law regulates access to documents in relation to the activities of the entities mentioned in Article 3. (2) The procedure for the exercise by the citizens of their right to be informed by Public Authorities of progress in proceedings in which they have a direct interest, as well as their right to be informed of the final decisions taken thereupon, is covered by separate legislation. 13 Requests for access to documents must be made in writing and contain all references necessary for identifying the document, as well as the name, the address and the signature of the interested person.	Art 10, 2, and 13 create a requirement for reasons.
Dominican Republic	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	ARTICLE 7. La solicitud de acceso a la información debe ser planteada en forma escrita y deberá contener por lo menos los siguientes requisitos para su tramitación:(...) d) Motivación de las razones por las cuales se requieren los datos e informaciones solicitadas;
Hungary	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	30(6) The body undertaking public duties shall compile regulations setting out the rules of procedure for fulfilling requests aimed at accessing data of public interest.	The procedures for requests are to be developed by each public authority and the law fails to set any conditions for this so we do not know if reasons would be required by some public authorities, but this seems quite likely.
Indonesia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	4(3) Every Public Information Applicant has the right to request for Public Information, and has to state the reason for such request.
Jordan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	7 Subject to the provisions of the applicable legislations, each Jordanian citizen has the right to obtain the information he/she requires according to the Provisions of this Law should he/she has a lawful interest or justification.
Kuwait	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	Reg. 2. Every person may submit to the authority, in writing or electronically, an application containing the following: 4) The information or documents requested for perusal or access related to the application, and the interest therein.
Malawi	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	54. Any person who, having being granted access to information under this Act, uses that information – (a) for unlawful purposes; (b) for reasons other than those for which a request for information was made, without the authority of an information holder; or (c) in such a manner so as to be detrimental to the interests of public officers, information holders or public interest, commits an offence, and shall, on conviction be liable to a fine of three million kwacha (K3,000,000.00) and imprisonment for three years.	Not mentioned in the requesting procedures, and the fact that the Act contains an offence for using information for alternative reasons is enormously problematic.
Namibia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	35(6) Subject to subsection (7)(b) and (c), a requester must provide a reason for requesting access to information. 37(1) A request for access to information is not affected by - (a) any reason the requester gives for requesting access; or (b) the belief of an information officer as to what the reasons of the requester are for requesting access, except in so far as it relates to a request for information made for reasons contemplated in subsection (3) or section 35(7)(b) or (c).
Nepal	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	7. Procedures of Acquiring Information: (1) A Nepali Citizen, who is interested to obtain any information under this Act, shall submit an application before concerned Information Officer by stating reason to receive such information.	Need to state reasons.
Palau	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	9(b) All governing bodies shall develop procedures in order to promptly comply with the ten (10) days requirement.	The procedures for requests are to be developed by each public authority and the law fails to set any conditions for this so we do not know if reasons would be required by some public authorities, but this seems quite likely.
Philippines	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	Section 9(a): Any person who requests access to information shall submit a written request to the government office concerned. The request shall state the name and contact information of the requesting party, provide valid proof of his identification or authorization, reasonably describe the information requested, and the reason for, or purpose of, the request for information: Provided, that no request shall be denied or refused acceptance unless the reason for the request is contrary to law, existing rules and regulations or it is one of the exceptions contained in the Inventory or updated inventory of exception as hereinabove provided. Regulations 3(1) The request shall reasonably describe the information requested, and the reason for or purpose of, the request for information.
Qatar	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	مادة 11: يتم الحصول على المعلومات بناءً على طلب يقدمه طالب المعلومات إلى الجهة المعنية، على النموذج المعد لهذا الغرض، ويتضمن النموذج البيانات التي تحددها الجهة المعنية، وعلى الأخص بيانات طالب المعلومات، والمعلومات التي يرغب في الحصول عليها، ومبررات تقديم الطلب 11. Information is obtained based on a request submitted by the information requester to the concerned authority, on the form prepared for this purpose. The form includes the data specified by the concerned authority, in particular the data of the information requester, the information he wishes to obtain, and the justifications for submitting the request.	Requestors must justify their requests.
Republic of Belarus	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	Article 20…The procedure for dissemination and (or) provision of information, except for the information specified in part five of this article and part one of article 17 of this Law, shall be determined by the agreement of the subjects of relevant information relations, unless otherwise provided by legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus. Article 21. Provision of publicly accessible information upon request The procedure for submitting requests for publicly accessible information, as well as the procedure for their consideration, is determined by legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus. Article 33. Rights and obligations of holder of information A holder of information, regarding the information held, shall be entitled to: allow or restrict access to information, [and (or)] determine the procedure and conditions for such access in accordance with the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus;	The procedures for requests are to be developed by each information holder unless otherwise provided in legislation, so we do not know if reasons would be required by some information holders, but this seems quite likely.
Saudi Arabia	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	7.5 2. The request should be filled out in a dedicated form made accessible by the public entity; The National Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards (https://sdaia.gov.sa/ndmo/Files/PoliciesEn001.pdf) FOI.3.4 The Entity shall prepare request forms for access to Public Information - whether paper or electronic - specifying the required information to be provided by the Requestor. The required information shall include, at minimum, the following: 3. Purpose behind the request for access to public information	Forms require reasons for requests.
Taiwan	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	10 Each person who requests the government agency to provide the government information shall submit a written application specifying the following matters: (...) 4. The purpose of requesting the government information.	Art 10(4)
Venezuela	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	9. La solicitud de información de interés público deberá contener los siguientes datos:...4. Los motivos que justifican la solicitud de información de interés público.
Vietnam	Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests.	Y/N answer 0 or 2 points	2	NO	0	Article 24(2)(d): The Request Form shall be written in Vietnamese and include main content as follows: (d) Reasons for requesting for information and purposes of using information. Reg. 4(2): A list of information requesters must fully have the following contents: full names, serial numbers of people’s identity cards or citizens’ identity cards or passports, and reasons and purposes of requesters.

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