By Indicator detail
Country | Description | Scoring instructions | Max score | Finding | Points | Article | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 3(3) Applicant: Is a legal or natural person who requests information from institutions. | |
Albania | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 3(1) Any person enjoys the right to access public information, not being subject to explain the motives. 2(3) Person means any natural or legal person, local or foreign, as well as any stateless persons. | |
Angola | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 7(1) Everyone shall have the right to information through access to non-personal documents held by public bodies. (2) The right of access to personal documents is restricted to the person to whom the personal data refers and to third parties who can demonstrate direct and personal interest, in terms of the next article. (3) The right of access to documents held by public bodies includes not only the right to obtain reproductions thereof, but also the right to be informed of the existence and the contents thereof. (4) Where documents held by public bodies are kept in archives, this shall not at any time hinder the exercise of the right of access to such documents. (5) Access to documents that form part of unfinished court proceedings or to documents produced in the preparation of a court ruling shall be deferred until the ruling has been taken, the proceedings have been shelved or a year after they were first produced. (6) Access to inquests and inquiries shall be permitted only after the expiry of the period for possible disciplinary proceedings. (7) Access to documents within the domain of notaries or public registers, documents on an individual civilians identity and criminal records, documents concerning automatically processed personal data, as well as documents kept in historical archives is governed by separate legislation. | |
Argentina | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 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 | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 6(1) Each person has the right to address an inquiry to information holder to get acquainted with and/or get the information sought by him as defined by the law. (2) Foreign citizens can enjoy the rights and freedoms foreseen by the following law as defined by the Republic of Armenia Law and/or in cases defined by international treaties. | In practice, no limits on foreigners |
Australia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 11 Right of access (1) Subject to this Act, every person has a legally enforceable right to obtain access in accordance with this Act to: (a) a document of an agency, other than an exempt document; or (b) an official document of a Minister, other than an exempt document. | S. 11 - every person - no mention of legal persons, but the interpretation guide expands the right to legal persons. |
Austria | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Federal Constitutional Act - B-VG, 22a. (2) Everyone has the right of access to information vis-à-vis the bodies entrusted with the conduct of federal or provincial administration business….Explanatory Note, Re no. 3 (Art. 22a)...Re para. 2...The holder of this constitutionally guaranteed right should be anyone, i.e. any natural or legal person, insofar as they can be the holder of this right. | This is not found in the Freedom of Information Act, but rather in an explanatory note interpreting the constitutional guarantee. The explanatory provision "insofar as they can be the holder of this right" is unclear, but some benefit of the doubt is given. It would be preferable if the law itself explicitly provided that the right extends to non-citizens and residents. |
Azerbaijan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 2.2. Everyone has the right to contact the owner of the information directly or through his representative, to choose the type and form of access to information. 3.0.7. a legal or natural person requesting information (hereinafter - the requester) applying for information in writing or orally; | Refers to "everyone" without any limitation and the definition of a requests in 3.07 explicitly refers to natural or legal persons. |
Belgium | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Loi n° 94-1724, Article 4: "Le droit de consulter un document administratif d'une autorité administrative fédérale et de recevoir une copie du document consiste en ce que chacun, selon les conditions prévues par la présente loi, peut prendre connaissance sur place de tout document administratif, obtenir des explications à son sujet et en recevoir communication sous forme de copie." | The law says that "everyone"("chacun") can consult and have a copy of an administrative document. |
Bolivia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4. The right of access to information is recognized to all people as a fundamental presupposition for the full exercise of citizenship and the strengthening of democracy. 5. In the exercise of the rights of information and petition, all natural or legal persons, individually or collectively, are entitled to request and receive complete, adequate, timely and truthful information from the Executive Power. | Covers legal entities and no suggestion that limited to citizens. |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 4 Right of Access. "Every natural and legal person has the right to access information in the control of a public authority, and each public authority has a corresponding obligation to disclose such information. This right of access may only be subject to such formalities and restrictions as are prescribed by this Act." | |
Brazil | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 10. The request for access, which may be performed by any person, shall be submitted by any legitimate means to bodies and entities referred to under Article 1 of this Law, and shall include the applicant's identification and specification of the requested information. Article 2. The public bodies and entities that form the federal Executive Branch shall ensure to both individuals and legal entities the right of access to information, which shall be granted upon the observance of objective and quick proceedings, performed in a transparent manner, and stipulated in an easily understandable language, in compliance with the principles of the public administration and the guidelines set forth in Law No. 12,527, of 2011 | BRAZILIAN ACCESS TO INFORMATION BILL APPROVED BY THE SENATE ON 25 OCTOBER 2011 Law 10, DECREE No7,724, OF MAY 16, 2012 Regs Art 2. |
Bulgaria | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4(1) Any citizen of the Republic of Bulgaria is entitled to access to public information subject to the conditions and the procedure set forth in this act, unless another act provides for a special procedure to seek, receive and impart such information. (2) Foreign citizens and individuals with no citizenship shall enjoy the right under sub-art. 1 in the Republic of Bulgaria. (3) Legal entities shall enjoy the right under sub-art. 1 too. | |
Cape Verde | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 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. | States everyone and does not suggest any restrictions but does not make it clear about legal entities. |
Chile | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | ARTICLE 10. Toda persona tiene derecho a solicitar y recibir información de cualquier órgano de la Administración del Estado, en la forma y condiciones que establece esta ley. El acceso a la información comprende el derecho de acceder a las informaciones contenidas en actos, resoluciones, actas, expedientes, contratos y acuerdos, así como a toda información elaborada con presupuesto público, cualquiera sea el formato o soporte en que se contenga, salvo las excepciones legales. | Art 10 - no citizenship requirement, and according to experts legal persons can apply |
Colombia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 4. Concept of law. In exercise of the fundamental right of access to information, a person can learn about the existence and access to public information in the possession or control of entities. Access to information may be restricted only in exceptional cases. Exceptions will be limited and proportional, you must be prescribed by law or the Constitution and be consistent with the principles of a democratic society. The right of access to information generated by the corresponding obligation to proactively disseminate public information and respond in good faith, properly, accurate, timely and affordable access to applications, which in turn entails the obligation to produce or capture public information. To meet the above entities shall implement procedures to ensure archival availability at time of authentic electronic documents. Paragraph. When the user finds that the application of information threatens their safety or that of your family, you may apply to the Public Ministry's special application process, including identification reserved. | Art. 4 of Law 1712 defines the right to access as a fundamental righta that can be exercised by all persons, which includes non-adults and foreigners |
Costa Rica | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | N/A | The Decree itself is not perfectly clear. However, Constitutional jurisprudence refers to all persons having this right ("toda persona o todo administrado"). Although other decisions refer to all citizens it appears this is not meant in a strict formal sense in terms of legal citizenship. See jurisprudence compiled at https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Sujeto_activo.pdf. Article 1 of the Law on the right of petition (under Article 27 of the constitution) says "todo ciudadano, independientemente de su nacionalidad" and that the right can be exercised individually or collectively (http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=74427&nValor3=91901&strTipM=TC). It appears juridical persons as well as natural ones are included; the jurisprudence suggests legal persons included (see, e.g., Res. 4435-2005, https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Obligaciones_solicitante.pdf) |
Croatia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Art.5. 1) "Beneficiary of the right to access information and right to re-use information" (hereinafter: the beneficiary) is any local or foreign natural person or legal entity." | |
Cyprus | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | "Article 3 (Right of access to information and scope of application) 3(1) Οποιοδήποτε φυσικό ή νομικό πρόσωπο έχει το δικαίωμα να αιτείται πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες που βρίσκονται στην κατοχή δημόσιας αρχής, σύμφωνα με τις διατάξεις του παρόντος Νόμου" | |
Czech Republic | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 3 - Definitions "(1) For the purpose of this Act, the "applicant" any natural person or legal entity requesting information." | |
Denmark | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 4.1 "Subject to the exceptions in Sections 7-14 of this Act, any person may ask to see documents received or issued by an administrative authority in the course of its activity. (...)" | Section 4.1 establishes that any person may ask to see the documents. |
East Timor | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 4 Language of official documents (1) Official documents may be accessed by the public, under the terms and conditions defined in this statute. | No restrictions to right of access appear to exist. |
El Salvador | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 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 98 El recurso será sobreseído cuando: a. El recurrente desista expresamente del mismo. b. El recurrente fallezca o tratándose de personas | Article 2 applies right to everyone. No mention of legal persons - but 98(a) implies that they can request as well. |
Estonia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4. Principles of granting access to public information (2) Access to information shall be ensured for every person in the quickest and easiest manner possible. | |
Ethiopia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 2(19) "Person" means a physical or juridical person. 12(1) All persons have the right to seek, obtain and communicate any information held by public bodies, except as expressly provided for by this Proclamation. | 2(19) includes legal persons. Art 12 right of access applies to all persons, with no residency or citizenship requirement. |
Finland | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | [Principles of Openness] Article 3. The objectives of the right of access and the duties of the authorities provided in this Act are to promote openness and good practice on information management in government, and to provide private individuals and corporations with an opportunity to monitor the exercise of public authority and the use of public resources, to freely form an opinion, to influence the exercise of public authority, and to protect their rights and interests. Article 9(1) Everyone shall have the right of access to an official document in the public domain. | Everyone shall have the right of access to an official document in the public domain. |
France | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 1. Le droit de toute personne. | The right of every person. |
Gambia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 11 Subject to this Act, every person has a right to access information from a public body. | |
Georgia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 37 – Request for public information 1. Everyone has the right to request public information regardless of its physical form and stored conditions, and choose the form of receiving public information if it is of different types, and to access the original information. In the case of risk of damaging the original information, the public institution shall be obliged to make the original available for reading under supervision, or present a duly certified copy. | Refers to "everyone" having the right to claim access to information. |
Germany | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 1(1) Everyone is entitled to official information from the authorities of the Federal Government in accordance with the provisions of this Act. | |
Greece | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | [Administrative Procedural Code] Article 5(1) Any interested party is entitled, by written application, to be informed of administrative documents. [...] [Administrative Procedure Act] Article 3(4). | Every person (national citizens, aliens and legal entities) are allowed to file requests. |
Guatemala | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Artículo 3. Esta ley se basa en los principios de: (1) Máxima publicidad; (2) Transparencia en el manejo y ejecución de los recursos públicos y actos de la administración pública; (3) Gratuidad en el acceso a la información pública; (4) Sencillez y celeridad de procedimiento. | |
Hungary | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 26(1) Bodies or individuals undertaking state or local government duties, as well as other duties defined in the relevant legislation (hereinafter jointly referred to as body undertaking public duties) must be ensured the opportunity to provide access to data of public interest and data public on grounds of public interest to anyone requesting such data under their control, with the exception of cases defined within the scope of the present Act. Article 28(1) Requests for accessing data of public interest may be made verbally, submitted in writing or electronically by anyone. | |
Ireland | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 11(1) Subject to this Act, every person has a right to and shall, on request therefor, be offered access to any record held by an FOI body and the right so conferred is referred to in this Act as the right of access. | The article does not define the differences between natural or legal persons, but can be inferred by the spirit of the law that both persons are able to fill the request, and this happens in practice. |
Italy | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 2(1) The provisions of this decree govern the right of whomever to freely access the data held by the public administrations and by the other subjects indicated in article 2-bis, i.e., a right that is guaranteed, without prejudice to the restrictions imposed in relation to the need to protect public and private interests that are deemed to be legally relevant, through the public access and the publications of documents, information and data concerning the organization and activities of the public administrations, and the modalities for their implementation. Article 5(1) The obligation to publish documents, information or data, envisaged for the public administrations by the legislation currently in force, entails the right of everyone to request the publication of any document, information or datum the publication of which has been omitted. | |
Ivory Coast | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 3. Toute personne physique ou morale a le droit d’accéder, sans discrimination, à des informations d’intérêt public et documents publics détenus par les organismes publics. 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. |
Any natural or legal person. |
Jamaica | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 2 | Article 6(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every person shall have a right to obtain access to an official document, other than an exempt document. (2) The exemption of an official document or part thereof from disclosure shall not apply after the document has been in existence for twenty years, or such shorter or longer period as the Minister may specify by order, subject to affirmative resolution. (3) An applicant for access to an official document shall not be required to give any reason for requesting access to that document. (4) Where an official document is - (a) open to access by the public pursuant to any other enactment, as part of a public register or otherwise; or (b) available for purchase by the public in accordance with administrative procedures established for that purpose, access to that document shall be obtained in accordance with the provisions of that enactment or those procedures, as the case may be. | |
Japan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 3 (Right to Request Disclosure) Any person may, pursuant to the provisions of this Act, request the head of an Administrative Organ Provided that the organ is designated by the Cabinet Order (set forth in the preceding Article, paragraph 1, items 4 and 5, the person designated for each organ by a Cabinet Order. The same shall apply hereinafter. the disclosure) of Administrative Documents held by the Administrative Organ concerned.
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. (...) |
Article 3 – requests can come from "any person." 4(1) allows requests from corporations. |
Kazakhstan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 1 The following basic definition are used in this Law: [...] (3) an information user - an individual or a legal entity, requesting and (or) using information; [...] | |
Kosovo | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 1 This Law shall guarantee the right of every person, without discrimination on any grounds, to access public documents produced, received, maintained or controlled by public institutions, as well as the right to re-use the public sector documents. 3(1.7) Person – shall mean any natural or legal person, without discrimination on any grounds, asking for access to public documents under this Law. 4(5) The right to access public documents belongs to all persons in the same way and equally. Public institutions shall not favour one person in exercising the right to access public documents while disfavouring the others. 10(1) Everyone has the right to access public documents upon request. | |
Kuwait | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 1. - The Person: Any physical or judicial person having an interest in obtaining the information from the authority. 2. Every person has the right of perusal to the information that the authorities have, and of access thereto in such a way that does not contravene this law and the legislations in force. | Covers both physical and legal persons. Not explicit about foreigners but nothing to suggest they are not covered. |
Kyrgyzstan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 2.2. Everyone shall have the right of access to the information held by the information holders in the manner prescribed by this Law. 16.1. A written (electronic) request shall contain the following information:...(3) for legal entities (their branches and representative offices) - the name of the legal entity (branch, representative office), contact details (depending on the preferred form of receiving a response specified by the applicant); | Legal entities are included. It refers to "everyone" but it would be better if it were explicit that foreigners were included. |
Latvia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 2. Purpose and Scope of Application of this Law: "(1) The purpose of this Law is to ensure that the public has access to information, which is at the disposal of institutions or which an institution in conformity with its competence has a duty to create. This Law determines uniform procedures by which private persons are entitled to obtain information from an institution and to utilise it. (2) This Law applies to documented information, which is within the circulation of information of institutions. (3) Information shall be accessible to the public in all cases, when this Law does not specify otherwise. (4) This Law does not apply to the exchange of information between institutions." | |
Lebanon | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 1: The beneficiaries of this law: Every person, natural or legal, shall have the right to access and view the information and documents in the administration in accordance with the provisions of this law, bearing in mind that the right should not be abused. | |
Liberia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 1.3.4: ""Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated entity, government or any juridical entity." 3.2: "Request for Information: Every person, irrespective of their nationality or residence, may request, receive, reproduce and retain any information held by (1) a public authority or (2) private entity that receives public funds or engage in public functions or provision of public service; provided that in respect of private entities, the information shall relate to the public funds, benefit, functions or service." | |
Lithuania | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 2. Principal Concepts of this Law "<...> 9. "Person" means a natural or legal person and branches of enterprises established in the Member States of the European Union and the states of the European Economic Area located in the Republic of Lithuania. <...>" Article 4. Freedom of Information "1. Every person shall have the right to freely express his ideas and convictions and to collect, obtain and disseminate information and ideas. The right to collect, obtain and disseminate information may not be restricted otherwise than under the law where it is necessary to protect the constitutional system, a person's health, honour, dignity, private life and morality. <...>" | |
Luxembourg | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | A1: Les personnes physiques et les personnes morales ont un droit d’accès aux documents détenus par les administrations et services de l’État, les communes, les syndicats de communes, les établissements publics placés sous la tutelle de l’État ou sous la surveillance des communes ainsi que les personnes morales fournissant des services publics, dans la mesure où les documents sont relatifs à l’exercice d’une activité administrative. Elles ont également accès aux documents détenus par la Chambre des Députés, le Conseil d’État, le Médiateur, la Cour des comptes et les Chambres professionnelles, qui sont relatifs à l’exercice d’une activité administrative. 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. | Refers to both legal and natural persons and does not appear to exclude non-citizens |
Maldives | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4(a) Access to information from a State Institute in accordance with this Act shall be a legally enforceable right available to every person who requests for such information; 76. “person” shall include natural and legal personalities; | |
Mexico | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 4. The human right of access to information includes requesting, researching, disseminating, seeking and receiving information. All the information generated, obtained, acquired, processed or held by the regulated entities is public and accessible to anyone under the terms and conditions set forth in this Act, in international treaties to which the Mexican State is a party, the Federal Act, the laws of the States and the regulations applicable in their respective jurisdictions; only exceptionally it may be classi ed as temporarily restricted for reasons of public interest and national security, in the terms provided by this Act. Article 10. It is the obligation of the Guarantor Agencies to grant the necessary measures to ensure access to information for all people on an equal basis with others. Any discrimination that undermines or annuls the transparency or the access to public information held by the regulated entities is prohibited. Article 12. All public information generated, obtained, acquired, processed or held by the regulated entities is public and will be accessible to anyone, for which reason all the means, actions and efforts available on the terms and conditions established by this Act, the Federal Act and those corresponding to the States, as well as other applicable rules should be enabled. Article 15. Everyone has the right of access to information without discrimination on any grounds. Article 121. Transparency Units of the regulated entities shall ensure the measures and accessibility so that every person may enforce the right of access to information through information requests, and shall assist the applicant in the preparation thereof, in accordance with the bases established in this Title. Article 122. Any person by himself or through his representative may request access to information with the Transparency Unit, through the National Platform, at the office or offices designated for this purpose, via email, mail, courier, telegraph, verbally or by any means approved by the National System. | |
Monaco | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 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. | Refers to everyone, legal and natural. Not entirely clear about foreigners but does not exclude them. |
Montenegro | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 1 "<...> Any national or foreign legal and natural entity shall be entitled to access the information filed with government agencies.<...>" | |
Namibia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4. The right of access to information conferred by section 30 is guaranteed based on the following principles that - (a) a person has the right to access information held by public entities without delay and free of charge, except where payment of reproduction, translation and transcription is allowed under this Act or any other law; 30. (1) A person has an enforceable right of access to information held by - (a) a public entity; or (b) a private entity if the information may assist in the exercise or protection of any fundamental human right or freedom. 35. (1) A person who wishes to obtain access to information held by an information holder must make a request in writing or orally to the information officer. Interpretation of Laws Proclamation 37 of 1920, s. 2. “person” shall include - (c) any body of persons corporate or unincorporate. | Persons includes both legal and natural persons corporate or unincorporate. No indication only citizens. |
Netherlands | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 3. Paragraph 1.a: \"Anyone may apply to an administrative authority or to an agency, service or company carrying out work for which it is accountable to an administrative authority for information contained in documents concerning an administrative matter.\" | \"Anyone\" may apply for information. |
Nicaragua | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Artículo 4.- "Para los fines de la presente Ley, se establecen las siguientes definiciones:(...) p. Persona: Comprende a todas las personas naturales o jurídicas, nacionales o extranjeras." | Art 4(p) - any natural or legal person. |
Niger | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4: L’accès à l’information publique est libre, sous réserve des exceptions et délais prévus par la loi. L’information publique est communicable de plein droit aux personnes qui en font la requête dans les conditions prévues par la présente ordonnance. | Art 4 - no mention of citizenship, no mention of right of legal entities |
Nigeria | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 1(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, Law or Regulation, the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is hereby established. 31 "Persons" include a corporation sole, and also a body of persons whether corporate or incorporate; acting individually or as a group | 1(1) - right of any person. S. 31 definition of person includes legal persons. |
Norway | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 3. Main rule "<...> Any person may apply to an administrative agency for access to case documents, journals and similar registers of that administrative agency." | No distinction between persons allowed to request information. No mention of legal entities. |
Panama | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Artículo 1: Para efectos de la aplicación e interpretación de esta Ley, los siguientes términos se definen así: (...) 9. Persona: Cualquier persona, ya sea natural o jurídica, que actúa en nombre propio o en nombre de un tercero.(...) | Article 1(9) of Law 6 of 2002. |
Peru | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 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.
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Poland | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 2(1) Each person is entitled, with the stipulation of Article 5, to the right of access to public information, hereinafter referred to as "the right to public information. | By "each person" it also means also legal person. There is rich jurisprudence confirming this. |
Portugal | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 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. | |
Qatar | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | مادة 1: في تطبيق أحكام هذا القانون، تكون للكلمات والعبارات التالية، المعاني الموضحة قرين كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق معنى آخر... طالب المعلومات: كل شخص طبيعي أو معنوي يتقدم بطلب للحصول على المعلومات من الجهة المعنية، وفقاً للضوابط والإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا القانون 1. In applying the provisions of this law, the following words and expressions will have the meanings indicated next to each of them, unless the context requires another meaning... Information requester: Every natural or legal person who submits a request to obtain information from the concerned authority, in accordance with the controls and procedures stipulated in this law. |
Full points awarded although it would be better to stipulate that this applies regardless of nationality. |
Romania | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 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. | "Any" person can ask and obtain information. This includes legal persons. |
Russia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 1: (Basic Definitions Used in the Present Federal Law): For the present Federal Law, the following basic definitions have been used: (3) information user - the citizen (natural person), organization (legal entity), or public association, carrying out a search for information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government. Information users are also government bodies and bodies of local self-government, which are carrying out a search of the above-specified information in accordance with the present Federal Law. | Legal entities are included directly. The law wording is not fully clear but contains a clarification that a "citizen" can be a "natural person," not obliged to have Russian citizenship. |
Rwanda | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 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. | Art 9 - definitely applies to legal entities. No mention of any citizenship requirement. |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 2, 4 | Does not appear to be limited by citizenship and includes corporate bodies |
Serbia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 5 Everyone shall have the right to be informed whether a public authority holds specific information of public importance, i.e. whether it is otherwise accessible. [...] 6 Everyone shall be able to exercise the rights in this Law under equal conditions, notwithstanding their citizenship, temporary or permanent residence, i.e. seat, or personal attribute such as race, confession, nationality, ethnicity, gender, et al. | All natural persons are included under the scope. |
Slovakia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 3,(1) \"Everybody shall have the right of access to information that the obliged persons have available. and Article 4, (1) \"An Applicant shall mean any natural or legal person requesting access to information.\" | |
Slovenia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Art.5 "(1) Legal entities or natural persons (hereinafter referred to as "the applicants") have free access to public information." | |
South Africa | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 1. ‘‘person’’ means a natural person or a juristic person. | |
Sweden | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | CONSTITUTION OF SWEDEN. The Freedom of the Press Act. Chapter 2. (On the public nature of official documents). Article 1: "Every Swedish citizen shall be entitled to have free access to official documents, in order to encourage the free exchange of opinion and the availability of comprehensive information." Article 12: "An official document to which the public has access shall be made available on request forthwith, or as soon as possible, at the place where it is held, and free of charge, to any person wishing to examine it, in such form that it can be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended.[...]." | |
Switzerland | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 6 Principle of freedom of information 1.Any person has the right to inspect official documents and to obtain information about the content of official documents. 2 The documents may be inspected in situ or a copy thereof may be requested. The legislation governing copyright is reserved. 3 Where an official document has already been published by the Federal Government in paper or electronic format, the rights under paragraphs 1 and 2 above are deemed to have been fulfilled." | |
Tajikistan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4(1)(b) includes legal persons with no citizenship requirement | |
Tunisia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 9(1) : Toute personne physique ou morale peut presenter une demande ecrite d'acces á l'information | |
Ukraine | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 12. Definition and List of Subjects 1. Subjects of relations in the area of access to public information are: 1) requesters of information – natural persons, legal persons, associations of citizens without legal person status, except for subjects of public authority;. | Physical persons, legal entities and associations of citizens without legal entity status are allowed to file requests. |
United Kingdom | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 1.1 "Any person making a request for information to a public General right of access to authority is entitled” information held (a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds by public information of the description specified in the request, and authorities. (b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him." | Expert says: Under UK law the term "person" includes individuals and corporate and unincorporated bodies (Interpretation Act, 1889, now incorporated into the Interpretation Act 1978). So the UK FOI Act's use of the term "person" in fact covers everyone, regardless of citizenship, legal status or country of residence etc. |
United States | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 3(a) says records to be provided to any person - no citizenship requirement, and American law recognizes corporations as persons. | |
Uruguay | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 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. Artículo 13. (De la solicitud y sus requisitos).- Toda persona física o jurídica interesada en acceder a la información pública en poder de los sujetos obligados por la presente ley, deberá hacerlo mediante solicitud escrita ante el titular del organismo. En dicha solicitud deberá constar: A) La identificación del solicitante, su domicilio y forma de comunicación. B) La descripción clara de la información requerida y cualquier dato que facilite su localización. C) Y, opcionalmente, el soporte de información preferido, sin constituir este último una obligación para el organismo. | Art 3 extends to all persons, Art 13 mentions legal persons. |
Yemen | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 2 | 4: "Access to information is one of the basic rights of the citizen. Citizens have the right to exercise this right within the law. Foreigners can have access to information on the condition of having the same treatment." 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." | Article 4 - citizens and foreigners, and Article 7 extends it to legal persons as well. |
Andorra | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 1 | Article 8. Right of access 1. Every person over 16 years of age has the right to access public information, on an individual basis, subject to als principles, conditions and limitations that is foreseen in this chapter. 2. The exercise of right of access is not conditioned to the concurrence of a personal interest. Article 8. Dret d’accés 1. Tota persona major de 16 anys té dret a accedir a la informació pública, a títol individual, amb subjecció als principis, condicions i limitacions que es preveuen en aquest capítol. 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. | |
Antigua and Barbuda | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 15(1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and subject to the provisions of this Act, every person has the right to obtain, on request, access to information. | 1 - all persons, no mention of legal persons. |
Bahamas | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 6. General right of access. (1) Subject to the provision of this Act, every— (a) Bahamian citizen (b) permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration Act (Ch. 191); (c) body incorporated or registered under the laws of The Bahamas; (d) partnership or other unincorporated association formed under the laws of The Bahamas; or (e) person who does not fall within paragraph (b), (c) or (d) but maintains in the Bahamas an office, branch or agency through which he carries on any business activity, shall have a right to obtain access to a record other than an exempt record. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may, by Order, at the direction of the Cabinet— (a) extend to a person not referred to in subsection (1), the right of access to the record, and (b) may set such conditions as he deems appropriate. | Only citizens/residents and legal persons. |
Belize | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | SECTION 9 Subject to this Act, every person shall have a right to obtain access in accordance with this Act to a document of a Ministry or prescribed authority, other than an exempt document. | Every person, which according to our expert includes legal entities. |
Burkina Faso | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 7 : L’accès à l’information publique et aux documents administratifs est garanti et égal pour tous les usagers du service public et de tout organisme investi d’une mission de service public. Toute discrimination fondée notamment sur le sexe, la race, l’origine sociale, l’ethnie, la religion, la profession ou l’opinion politique ou philosophique est interdite. | Seems to apply to everyone, but then is restricted to users of the public service. |
Canada | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 4(1) Subject to this Act, but notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament, every person who is (a) a Canadian citizen, or (b)a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, has a right to and shall, on request, be given access to any record under the control of a government institution.(...) Access to Information Act Extension Order, No. 1, s. 2: The right to be given access under subsection 4(1) of the Access to Information Act to records under the control of a government institution is hereby extended to include all individuals who are present in Canada but who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and all corporations that are present in Canada. | Applies to citizens, residents and those present in Canada, as well as legal entities in Canada, but not to non-citizens, non-residents and legal entities outside Canada. |
China | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 27 In addition to the government information proactively disclosed by administrative organs; citizens, legal persons, or other organizations may apply to obtain relevant government information to local people's governments at all levels, or the departments of people's governments at the county level or above that perform administrative management functions in their own name (including remote and internal bodies provided for in paragraph 2 of article 10 of this regulation). | Citizens and legal persons but not foreigners |
Cook Islands | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 11. Requests– (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 official 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. | Art 11 "qualified person" definition includes some corporations, but is limited to Cook Island residents. |
Dominican Republic | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Artículo 1.- Toda persona tiene derecho a solicitar y a recibir información completa, veraz, adecuada y oportuna, de cualquier órgano del Estado Dominicano, y de todas las sociedades anónimas, compañías anónimas o compañías por acciones con participación estatal... | Article 1 - "everyone" - no mention of legal persons |
Ecuador | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | N/A | The act often mentions legal persons, and so by not mentioning them in regards to requests it appears they are precluded from making requests. However, no distinction is made for citizens or residents. |
Ghana | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 1(1) A person has the right to information, subject to the provisions of this Act. | Refers to "persons" having the right; not clear if legal persons and non-citizens included. Some benefit of doubt given. |
Guinea | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 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. 14. Le modèle de formulaire préétabli, à remplir par le demandeur d'accès à l'information doit obligatoirement comporter le prénom, le nom et l'adresse s'il s'agit d'une personne physique, ou le cas échéant mentionner la dénomination sociale et le siège social s'il s'agit d'une personne morale, avec les éléments descriptifs des informations demandées à l'organisme concerné. | Clearly envisages citizens and legal persons but not foreigners. |
Honduras | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | ARTICULO 3. DEFINICIONES. Para los efectos de la presente Ley, se entiende por: [...] Derecho de Acceso a la Información Publica: El derecho que tiene todo ciudadano para acceder a la información generada, administrada o en poder de las instituciones obligadas previstas en la presente ley, en los términos y condiciones de la misma; [...] ARTICULO 4. DEBER DE INFORMAR Y DERECHO AL ACCESO A LA AINFORMACION PUBLICA. Todas las instituciones obligadas deberán publicar la información relativa a su gestión o, en su caso, brindar toda la información concerniente a la aplicación de los fondos públicos que administren o hayan sido garantizados por el Estado. Sin perjuicio de lo previsto en la Ley de Contratación del Estado en relación con las publicaciones, todos los procedimientos de selección de contratistas y los contratos celebrados, se divulgaran obligatoriamente en el sitio de Internet que administre la Oficina Normativa de Contratación y Adquisiciones (ONCAE). A este efecto, los titulares de los órganos o instituciones públicas quedan obligados a remitir la información respectiva. A su vez, toda persona natural o jurídica, tiene derecho a solicitar y a recibir de las Instituciones Obligadas, información completa, veraz, adecuada y oportuna en los limites y condiciones establecidos en esta Ley. | Article 3(3) - limited to citizens, but Article 4 mentions legal persons. |
Iceland | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | N/A | Not mentioned, only refers to the public. |
India | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 6(1) A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to - (a) the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, of the concerned public authority; (b) the Central Assistant Public Information Officer or State Assistant Public Information Officer, as the case may be, specifying the particulars of the information sought by him or her: Provided that where such request cannot be made in writing, the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce the same in writing. | 6(1) - applies only to citizens, but includes legal persons. |
Indonesia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 1(12) Public Information Applicant means an Indonesian citizen and/or an Indonesian corporation that applies for Public Information as regulated in this law. 2(1) Every Public Information is open and accessible by every User of Public Information. | Includes legal persons, but limited to Indonesians. |
Israel | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 1. Every Israeli citizen and resident has the right to obtain information from a public authority, according to the stipulations of this law. 2. The following definitions apply to this law: [...] "Resident" as defined in Section 1 of the Population Registration Law (5725-1965), or a corporation incorporated under Israeli law. | 1. applies to citizens and residents, definition in 2 includes corporations. |
Kenya | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 2 [...] citizen - means any individual who has Kenyan citizenship, and any private entity that is controlled by one or more Kenyan citizens. 4(1) Subject to this Act and any other written law, every citizen has the right of access to information held by - [...] | |
Liechtenstein | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 1 Section 1 in law, Articles 17 and 18 in regulation. | Referring to the general public in law, referring to media and citizens in regulation. |
Malawi | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 5(1) A person shall have the right to access information, in so far as that information is required for the exercise of his rights, which is in the custody or under the control of a public body or relevant private body to which this Act applies, in an expeditious and inexpensive manner. | Refers to person; not clear if legal persons included. |
Malta | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Art. 3. "Any eligible person has a right of access to documents held by public authorities in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Act." | Art. 2 defines eligible person as resident, citizens from Malta, EU citizens or citizens from other countries with which there is a treaty that include the right of access to information. |
Mongolia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 11.1. Citizens and legal entities shall be entitled to receive the following information except the information prohibited by law to publicly disclose for the purpose of ensuring human rights, freedom, national security, and organization’s lawful interest from the organization specified in the article 3.1 of this Law; 11.1.1.All types of information, documents, agreements and contracts in possession of the organization; 11.1.2. Information related to the property in possession of the organization; and 11.1.3. Any other information related to the activities of the organization. 4.1.1. “citizen” means a citizen of Mongolia, foreign citizen lawfully residing in Mongolia, or stateless person lawfully residing in Mongolia; | 11.1 allows legal persons, but the Art 4 definition of "citizens" is limited to citizens and residents. |
Mozambique | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | ARTIGO 14 (Legitimacy) 1. Every citizen has the right to request and to receive information of public interest. 2. The right in the previous number may also be exercised by legal persons and by the media. | Only citizens but also legal bodies |
New Zealand | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 12 Requests (1) Any person, being (a) a New Zealand citizen; or (b) a permanent resident of New Zealand; or (c) a person who is in New Zealand; or (d) a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or (e) a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which has a place of business in New Zealand, may request a department or Minister of the Crown or organisation to make available to him or it any specified official information. (1A) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a request made, on or after the date of commencement of this subsection, by or on behalf of a natural person for access to any personal information which is about that person shall be deemed to be a request made pursuant to subclause (1)(b) of principle 6 of the Privacy Act 1993, and shall be dealt with accordingly, and nothing in this Part or in Part 5 shall apply in relation to any such request. (2) The official 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. Section 12(1): replaced, on 1 April 1987, by section 6 of the Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8). Section 12(1A): inserted, on 1 July 1993, by section 3 of the Official Information Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 36). | S. 12 - corporations are ok, non-citizens or residents outside of New Zealand are not. |
North Macedonia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | YES | 1 | Art. 4 "(1) Free access to information shall be enjoyed by all legal and natural persons. (2) Free access to information shall also be enjoyed by foreign legal and natural persons in accordance with the present Law and other laws." | |
Palau | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 9. (a) Within ten (10) days of any request, all public records produced by a governing body shall be available by any person during regular business hours, unless the disclosure will take more time to produce due to exceptional circumstances or the volume of information requested, is in violation of the Constitution of the Republic, other law of the Republic, or is exempted under this Act. | Not clear that "any person" includes foreigners and does not refer to legal entities. |
Paraguay | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 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. | No mention of legal persons, though this may be inherent in the law. |
San Marino | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 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. | Only foreign residents, not foreigners in general. |
Saudi Arabia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 7.1 This Interim Regulation applies to all requests coming from any individual to access or obtain public information – unprotected – produced or held by public entities, regardless of the source, form or nature. | "Individual" suggests that legal persons are not included. |
Seychelles | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 8. Subject to this Act, every person has a right to access to information from a public body. | Refers to every person but not clear if that includes legal persons |
Sierra Leone | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 2(1) Every person has the right to access information held by or is under the control of a public authority. | No mention of legal persons. |
South Korea | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 5(1) Every national has a right to request information disclosure. (2) Foreigners’ requests for information disclosure shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. PD 3: A foreigner who may request information disclosure under Article 5 (2) of the Act shall be the one falling under any of the following subparagraphs: 1. A person that resides at a fixed residence or stays temporarily for academic research in the Republic of Korea; 2. A corporation or an organization which has an office in the Republic of Korea. | Presumably covers Korean legal entities, although not entirely clear. Limited coverage of foreigners. |
Spain | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 1 | Artículo 12. Derecho de acceso a la información pública. Todas las personas tienen derecho a acceder a la información pública, en los términos previstos en el artículo 105.b) de la Constitución Española, desarrollados por esta Ley. Asimismo, y en el ámbito de sus respectivas competencias, será de aplicación la correspondiente normativa autonómica. | Las personas jurídicas no tienen derecho de acceso a la información |
Sri Lanka | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 3. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 5 of this Act, every citizen shall have a right of access to information which is in the possession, custody or control of a public authority. Section 43. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires a citizen, includes a body whether incorporated or unincorporated, if not less than three-fourths of the members of such body are citizens; | Only citizens and legal entities. |
Sudan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 9(1) Any person has the right to access and obtain information from their primary sources from government bodies … | Does not limit to citizens but is unclear as to scope regarding legal bodies. |
Taiwan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 9 The nationals of the Republic of China who register their permanent residence in the Republic of China and the legal persons or groups that are established by the nationals may request government agencies to provide government information in accordance with this Law. The same procedure shall also apply to the nationals holding a passport of the Republic of China who reside overseas. Foreigners may request government information in accordance with this Law only when the laws of their countries do not restrict the nationals of the Republic of China from requesting government information of such country. | Art 9 - limited to citizens and residents, but includes legal persons. Foreigners are allowed to request info only if ROC nationals can request info in their countries; this is restrictive enough to cost a point. |
Thailand | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 9. "Subject to section 14 and section 15, a State agency shall make available at least the following official information for public inspection in accordance with the rules and procedure prescribed by the Board:(...) (8) such other information as determined by the Board. If any part of the information made available for public inspection under paragraph one is prohibited from disclosure under section 14 or section 15, it shall be deleted, omitted or effected in such other manners whatsoever so as not to disclose such part of the information. A person, whether interested in the matter concerned or not, has the right to inspect or obtain a copy or a certified copy of the information under paragraph one. In an appropriate case, a State agency may, with the approval of the Board, lay down the rules on the collection of fees therefor. For this purpose, regard shall also be had to the making of concession given to persons with low incomes, unless otherwise provided by specific law. The extent to which an alien may enjoy the right under this section shall be provided by the Ministerial Regulation." | 9(8) The extent that the right extends to aliens is determined by the ministers |
Togo | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 8: 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. | Refers to all persons but not clear on legal entities |
Trinidad and Tobago | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 11. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and subject to the provisions of this act, it shall be the right of every person to obtain access to an official document. | 11(1) - every person. No mention of legal persons. |
Turkey | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 4. (Everyone has the right to information): "<...> Foreigners domiciled in Turkey and the foreign legal entities operating in Turkey can exercise the right in this law, on the condition that the information that they require is related to them or the field of their activities; and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity. The rights and the obligations of Turkey under the international conventions are reserved." | Foreigners and legal entities are included but only to exercise the right on information related to them or the field of their activities. That´s the reason I´ve deducted 1 point. |
Uzbekistan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 4(1) In accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, everyone shall have the right to search, receive, investigate, disseminate, use, and store information. 9(1) Every individual has a right, directly or through his representatives, to submit a written or oral application for obtaining information. | Only guaranteed to individuals; no mention of legal entities. |
Vanuatu | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 3. applicant means a person who is: (a) applying for information under section 13; or (b) appealing to the Information Commissioner under section 64; | No indication of applicability to legal persons. |
Venezuela | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 3. Las personas naturales, en condiciones de igualdad y sin discriminación alguna, tienen derecho a acceder a la información de interés público, de acuerdo con los valores y principios consagrados en la Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela y los tratados, pactos y convenciones relativos a esta materia, debidamente suscritos y ratificados por la República... | Natural persons but no indication applies to legal persons. No reference to foreigners but since not specifically excluded some benefit of doubt given. |
Zimbabwe | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | Partially | 1 | 7(1) Any person who wishes to request access to information from any public entity, public commercial entity or the holder of a statutory office in accordance with the rights granted under this Act may apply in writing in a prescribed manner to an information officer of the public entity, public commercial entity or holder of a statutory office concerned. | Refers to "any person" but does not define this. Not clear if legal persons are included. No suggestion that foreigners be excluded but also does not explicitly include them. The Constitution refers to citizens, permanent residents and juristic persons. |
Bangladesh | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 4. Right to information: "Subject to the provisions of this Act, every citizen shall have the right to information from the authority, and the authority shall, on demand from a citizen, be bound to provide him with the information." | Art 4 - only citizens. |
Benin | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 70: Tout citoyen a le droit d’accéder aux documents ou aux renseignements détenus par un organisme public ou par ses agents dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions. Ce droit s’exerce sur lesdits documents ou renseignements, qu’ils soient conservés par l’organisme public ou par un tiers. | Right only available to citizens |
Fiji | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | Article 6. (1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who is a natural person and is a citizen or a permanent resident of the State may request the Commission to make available to the person any information held by a public agency. | Only natural persons who are residents/citizens. |
Guyana | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 12(1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the right of every Guyanese citizen or person domiciled in Guyana to obtain access to an official document. | 12 - only Guyanese citizens and residents. |
Iran | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | Article 2. Every Iranian citizen has the right to have access to public information, unless otherwise prohibited by law . The use of public information shall be consistent with related laws and regulations. | |
Jordan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 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. | Citizens only. |
Moldova | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 5. Subjects of the present law (3) Official information may be requested, under conditions defined in the present law, by: a) any citizen of the Republic of Moldova; b) foreign citizens that reside in the Republic of Moldova; c) stateless persons that reside in the Republic of Moldova. | Only citizens and residents are allowed to request information. |
Morocco | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 3. Les citoyennes et les citoyens ont le droit d'accéder à l'information visée à l'article 2 ci-dessus, sous réserve des exceptions prévues par la présente loi. 4. En application des dispositions des conventions internationales afférentes que le Royaume du Maroc a ratifiées ou auxquelles il a adhéré, toute personne étrangère résidant au Maroc de façon légale a droit d'accéder à l'information visée à l'article 2 ci-dessus, selon les conditions et les procédures prévues par la présente loi. | Only citizens and appears to exclude legal persons. Does also include residents. |
Nepal | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 3. Right to Information: (1) Every citizen shall, subject to this Act have the right to information. (2) Every citizen shall have access to the information held in the public Bodies. | Only citizens. Not clear about legal entities. |
Pakistan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 2(ii) "applicant" means a citizen of Pakistan, as defined in law, who lodges a request or any person who is acting for or on behalf of such a person; 3(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no applicant shall be denied access to information or record held by a public body; 11(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan may make a request to a public body through the designated official. | Right of access applies to 'applicants', defined as citizens. Does not appear to cover legal persons. |
Philippines | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | Section 3: Access to Information: Every Filipino shall have access to information, official records, public records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development. | |
Republic of Belarus | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | Article 6. Right to Information State bodies, individuals and legal entities have the right to seek, receive, transmit, collect, process, accumulate, store, disseminate and (or) provide information, [and(or)] use information in accordance with this Law and other acts of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. State bodies, public associations, and officials shall be obliged to provide citizens of the Republic of Belarus with an opportunity to get acquainted with information that affects their rights and legitimate interests in the order established by this law and other legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus. Citizens of the Republic of Belarus shall be guaranteed the right to receive, store and disseminate complete, reliable and timely information about the activities of state bodies, public associations, political, economic, cultural and international life, [and (or)] the state of the environment in the order established by this law and other legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus. Article 21. Provision of publicly accessible information upon request Provision of publicly accessible information may be carried out upon request by an interested state body, individual or legal entity to the holder of this information. | The text is sometimes contradictory/inconsisistent on this point, at times its refers to "individuals" and other times it refers to "citizens". In general seems to grant this right exclusively to citizens. |
South Sudan | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 6 | Only citizens |
Tanzania | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 5(4) For purposes of this section, “person” means a citizen of the United Republic | Only citizens. No reference to legal entities. |
Uganda | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 5. Right of access. (1) Every citizen has a right of access to information and records in the possession of the State or any public body, except where the release of the information is likely to prejudice the security or sovereignty of the State or interfere with the right to the privacy of any other person. | S. 5(1)
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Vietnam | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | Article 4(1): Citizens shall exercise the right to access to information as prescribed by this Law.; Article 36(1): Foreigners legally residing in Vietnam shall have the right to request for information directly related to their rights and obligations. | Basically just citizens although 36 gives foreign residents the right to informaiton relating to their rights and obligations. |
Zambia | Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. | Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. | 2 | NO | 0 | 2(1) ("person", "request"), 3(a), 6(1) |
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