By Indicator detail

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

Country	Description	Scoring instructions	Max score	Finding	Points	Article	Comments
Afghanistan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	35(1) The followings are recognized as violation of this law: 1-Providing such information to the applicant that does not conform to the contents of information request form. 2-Refusal of information to the applicant without justified reasons. 3-Providing such information to the Commission that is contrary to reality. 4-Destroying documents without lawful authority. 5-Not providing requested information within the allocated timeframe. 6-Not observing decisions and procedures of the Commission. 7-Lack of reporting by the Public Information Officer to the Commission within the specified timeframe. (2) In case any violation mentioned in article 26(1) is proved, the Commission shall decide on one of the following punishments considering the circumstances: 1-Admonition; 2-Written warning; 3-Decide to deduct a portion of the salary of the offending officer and advise the relevant institution to take action in accordance with the laws; 4-In case of repetition of the violation, decide the transfer of the officer and advise the relevant institution to take action. (3) In cases of violations mentioned in Clause (1) of this article, which results in material and moral damage to the natural and legal persons should be compensated in accordance with the laws. (4) Institutions shall implement the correctional measures taken by the Commission and report to the Commission about its implementation.
Albania	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	18(2) The actions and inactions, in accordance with this Law to the extend they do not constitute a criminal offence, are considered administrative offenses and are fined as follows: (p) damage or destruction of official documents, in order to avoid the right to the freedom of information, is punishable by 150 000 to 300.000 ALL; (q) non-disclosure of official documents, contrary to the rules in force, with the intention to obstruct the right to information is punishable by 150 000 to 300 000 ALL.
Antigua and Barbuda	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	48(1) A person shall not willfully: (a) obstruct access to any record contrary to Part III of this Act; (b) obstruct the performance by a public authority of a duty pursuant to Part III of this Act; (c) interfere with the work of the Commissioner; or (d) destroy records without lawful authority. (2) A person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both.
Armenia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	14(1) For illegal refusal to provide information, or for the incomplete information disposal, as well as for other infringements of the information freedom defined by this Law, the official persons responsible for information freedom are held responsible according to the Law. Article 26(5) of HRD Law In the case referred to in point 1 of paragraph 1 of this Article, where there are grounds provided for by law or another legal act, the Defender may recommend the competent state or local self- government body to subject to liability the official upon whose decision or action (inaction) the human rights and freedoms have been violated. In addition to the fact of subjecting to liability, the Defender may propose a type of disciplinary measure. Competent state or local self-government body or public officials shall be obliged to consider recommendations of the Defender and within deadline prescribed by paragraph 4 of Article 26 of this law to inform the Defender. In case a type of disciplinary measure proposed by the Defender is not applied or in case of not subjecting the person to disciplinary responsibility the competent public official shall be obliged to provide respective justification. In case of revealing violation of human rights and freedoms by an organisation, where there are grounds provided for by law or another legal act, the Defender shall apply to competent administrative bodies with a relevant recommendation to subject to liability.
Azerbaijan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	6. Basic principles of access to information 6.1.9. liability of information owners for violation of the right to information. Law on the Human Rights Commissioner, 13.2.4, Code of Administrative Offences, 374 (see also 371, 372, 373, 374.2 and 374.3)	Only a vague reference in the principles section. The Commissioner has a general power to refer matters for disciplinary action but presumbly this is back to the public authority concerned. More explicit rules in the Code of Administrative Offences.
Bahamas	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Section 35(d) In addition to any other powers and responsibilities provided for in this Act the Commissioner shall (d) refer to the appropriate authorities cases where it appears that a criminal offence has been committed. Section 40(4) In his decision pursuant to subsection (1), the Commissioner may- (c) in cases of egregiuos or wilful failure to comply with an obligation under this Act, refer the matter to the appropriate disciplinary authority. Section 54. Offences. (1) A person commits an offence, if in relation to a record to which a right of access is conferred under this Act, he— (a) alters or defaces; (b) blocks or erases; (c) destroys; or (d) conceals, the record with the intention of preventing its disclosure. (2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Bangladesh	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	27: "Fines, etc. (1) With reference to the disposal of any complaint or otherwise, if the Information Commission has reasons to believe that an officer- in-charge (a) has refused to receive any request for information or an appeal without assigning any reasons; (b) has failed to provide information to the applicant or to make decision within the time-limit determined by the Act; (c) has refused to receive a request or an appeal with mala fide intention; (d) has provided wrong, incomplete, confusing and distorted information in place of the information that was sought for; (e) has created impediments in receiving information; then, the Information Commission may impose fine for per day 50 (fifty) taka from the date of doing such action by the officer-in- charge to the date of providing information, and such fine shall not, in any way, exceed more than 5000 (five thousand) taka. (2) The Information Commission shall, before imposing any fine under sub- section(1), give the officer-in-charge an opportunity of hearing. (3) If the Information Commission is satisfied that the officer-in-charge has created impediments in getting information of any citizen by any act under sub-section (1), than, it may, in addition to imposing fine under sub-section (2), recommend the concerned authority to take departmental action against the officer, treating his such act to be a misconduct, and may request the authority to inform the Information Commission about the action taken last in respect of this matter. (4) If any fine or compensation payable under this Act is not paid, it may be recoverable from the concerned officer through such procedures as are applicable for the recovery of a land revenue in accordance with the provisions of Public Demands Recovery Act, 1913 (Act IX of 1913)."	Art 27 allows fines to be imposed where an official fails in their duties under the act.
Bolivia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	17(I) The public servants in charge of the compliance and execution of this Supreme Decree that incur in undue refusal, lack of response or illegal restriction in the attention of the requests for information, regardless of the administrative and civil responsibility that corresponds to them, will be liable criminal offense for breach of duties. (II) The higher administrative authority, known the fact, will file a complaint with the Public Ministry for the corresponding criminal action. The petitioner affected in his right may file a complaint with the same entity.	Seems quite broad in scope.
Brazil	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 7. Regardless of external requests, public bodies and entities shall promote the disclosure of the information they either produce or keep, be it of collective or general interest, in their respective websites, in compliance with the provisions established in article 7 and article 8 of Law No. 12,527, of 2011.(...) Paragraph 4. The above information may be disclosed through a webpage redirecting tool, in case the said information is available at other government websites. Article 32. The authority or other public agent who classifies the information under the top - secret or secret level shall submit a copy of the TCI to the Mixed Committee for the Reassessment of Information within thirty days, to be counted from the issuance of the decision related to the classification or the ratification.	Art 7 Para 4 and Art 32. Also see Reg Art 65 and 66.
Bulgaria	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	42. (Amended, SG No. 49/2007) (1) If not subject to a harsher penalty, a civil servant who failed to respond within the specified time limits to a request for access to public information without exculpatory reason, shall be fined between 50 and 100 leva.	The sanction is about the behaviour in opposite to grant access to public information not about the destruction of documents. But I understand it is included under the sanction scope.
Canada	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	67 (1) No person shall obstruct the Information Commissioner or any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner in the performance of the Commissioner's duties and functions under this Act. (2) Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars. 67.1 (1) No person shall, with intent to deny a right of access under this Part, (a) destroy, mutilate or alter a record; (b) falsify a record or make a false record; (c) conceal a record; or (d) direct, propose, counsel or cause any person in any manner to do anything mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (c).
Colombia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 29 Criminal Responsibility. Any act of concealment, destruction or deliberate alteration or partial public information once it has been subject to a request for information shall be punished in accordance with Article 292 of the Penal Code.
Costa Rica	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Artículo 14.- El Oficial de Acceso a la Información y al Oficial de Simplificación de Trámites. Ambos oficiales tendrán, específicamente, las siguientes funciones con respecto del derecho de acceso a la información: . . . e- Recomendar a la autoridad jerárquica competente la apertura de investigación de funcionarios institucionales debido al incumplimiento de lo establecido en el presente Decreto. SECCION III REGIMEN SANCIONATORIO 16. El deber de aplicar el régimen sancionatorio interno. En caso que se incumpla con las disposiciones de este decreto, la autoridad institucional competente deberá aplicar los procedimientos administrativos sancionatorios que correspondan según la normativa vigente.	Article 13 of the Petition law also establishes sanctions: http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=74427&nValor3=91901&strTipM=TC
Croatia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Art.61.1.: A fine for a misdemeanour in the amount ranging from 5,000.00 to 20,000.00 HRK shall be issued to the natural responsable person if he/she do not comply with decisions of the Information Commissioner listed in the Article 25 Pararaph 7 of this law, or do not comply within the deadline set by the decision of the Commissioner. Art.62.2.: A fine for a misdemeanour in the amount ranging from 5,000.00 to 50,000.00 HRK shall be issued to the natural person which damages, destroys, hides or in other way renders unavailable the document containing information, aiming to prevent exercising of the right of access to information.
Cyprus	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	"Article 46 (Administrative fines) 46.-(1) Ανεξάρτητα από την ποινική ευθύνη ή την ποινική δίωξη οποιουδήποτε προσώπου, εφόσον εξακολουθεί να εκκρεμεί αίτημα για πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες από αιτητή, ο Επίτροπος, κατά την κρίση του, δύναται να επιβάλει διοικητικό πρόστιμο που δεν υπερβαίνει τις πέντε χιλιάδες ευρώ (€5.000) σε δημόσια αρχή η οποία, ενώ παραλαμβάνει την απόφαση του Επιτρόπου, όπως καθορίζεται στα άρθρα 44 και 45, δεν προβαίνει στις δέουσες ενέργειες για υλοποίηση των καθορισμένων σε αυτή μέτρων εντός της καθορισθείσας προθεσμίας: Νοείται ότι πριν την έκδοση οποιασδήποτε απόφασης για επιβολή διοικητικού προστίμου όπως καθορίζεται στο παρόν εδάφιο, ο Επίτροπος παρέχει στην δημόσια αρχή προειδοποίηση εξήντα (60) ημερών. (2) Σε περίπτωση συνέχισης της παράβασης ο Επίτροπος δύναται να επιβάλλει πρόστιμο μέχρι πενήντα ευρώ (€50) για κάθε ημέρα συνέχισης της παράβασης: Νοείται ότι το επιβαλλόμενο δυνάμει των πιο πάνω διατάξεων διοικητικό πρόστιμο υπολογίζεται ανάλογα με τη φύση, τη βαρύτητα και τη διάρκεια της παράβασης. (3) Ο Επίτροπος επιβάλλει διοικητικό πρόστιμο δυνάμει των διατάξεων του παρόντος άρθρου με αιτιολογημένη απόφασή του στην οποία αναφέρεται η παράβαση, αφού προηγουμένως ακούσει ή/και δώσει την ευκαιρία στη δημόσια αρχή ή εκπρόσωπό της να ακουστεί προφορικώς ή γραπτώς. (4) Κατά την επιβολή διοικητικού προστίμου δυνάμει των διατάξεων του παρόντος άρθρου, ο Επίτροπος δύναται να λάβει υπόψη του οποιαδήποτε ανάληψη δέσμευσης που παρέχεται έναντί του από τη δημόσια αρχή ή εκ μέρους της αναφορικά με τη γενόμενη παράβαση και την προοπτική άρσης ή αποκατάστασης αυτής και, σε κάθε περίπτωση, ο Επίτροπος μεριμνά, ώστε να μην επιβάλλεται, για την ίδια πράξη, διοικητικό πρόστιμο αφού επιβληθεί ποινή συνεπεία καταδίκης για τέλεση ποινικού αδικήματος. (5) Το ποσό του διοικητικού προστίμου εισπράττεται από τον Επίτροπο όταν παρέλθει άπρακτη η προς άσκηση προσφυγής, δυνάμει του Άρθρου 146 του Συντάγματος, προθεσμία των εβδομήντα πέντε (75) ημερών, από την κοινοποίηση της απόφασης για επιβολή διοικητικού προστίμου. (6) Σε περίπτωση παράλειψης πληρωμής των κατά τον παρόντα Νόμο επιβαλλόμενων από τον Επίτροπο προστίμων, ο Επίτροπος λαμβάνει δικαστικά μέτρα προς είσπραξη του οφειλόμενου ποσού ως αστικό χρέος οφειλόμενο προς τη Δημοκρατία. Article 53 (Offences and Penalties) 53 (1) Σε περίπτωση που - (α) Υποβλήθηκε αίτηση για παροχή πληροφοριών σε δημόσια αρχή· και (β) ο αιτητής θα είχε δικαίωμα πρόσβασης στις ζητούμενες πληροφορίες δυνάμει των διατάξεων του παρόντος Νόμου, πρόσωπο είναι ένοχο αδικήματος αν τροποποιεί, παραποιεί, διαγράφει, καταστρέφει ή αποκρύπτει αρχείο που κατέχει η δημόσια αρχή, με σκοπό την παρεμπόδιση της αποκάλυψης από τη δημόσια αρχή μέρους ή όλων των ζητούμενων πληροφοριών, στις οποίες ο αιτητής θα είχε δικαίωμα πρόσβασης, και, σε περίπτωση καταδίκης του, υπόκειται σε ποινή φυλάκισης που δεν υπερβαίνει το ένα (1) έτος ή σε χρηματική ποινή που δεν υπερβαίνει τις τρεις χιλιάδες ευρώ (€3.000) ή και στις δύο αυτές ποινές. (2) Πρόσωπο είναι ένοχο αδικήματος, αν - (α) Σκόπιμα καθυστερεί ή παρεμποδίζει πρόσωπο κατά την άσκηση των εξουσιών του δυνάμει των διατάξεων του παρόντος Νόμου, (β) παρεμποδίζει ή αποπειράται να παρεμποδίσει άλλο πρόσωπο που εισήλθε σε υποστατικό μαζί με εξουσιοδοτημένο από τον Επίτροπο λειτουργό, σύμφωνα με τις διατάξεις της παραγράφου (δ) του άρθρου 41, για να του παρέχει συνδρομή, (γ) στο πλαίσιο έρευνας που πραγματοποιείται δυνάμει των διατάξεων του άρθρου 41, εν γνώσει του παρουσιάζει ή χρησιμοποιεί αρχείο, βιβλίο, έγγραφο ή άλλο στοιχείο που έχει πλαστογραφηθεί ή είναι ψευδές σε σχέση με οποιοδήποτε ουσιώδες στοιχείο, και σε περίπτωση καταδίκης του υπόκειται σε ποινή φυλάκισης που δεν υπερβαίνει το ένα (1) έτος ή σε χρηματική ποινή που δεν υπερβαίνει τις τρεις χιλιάδες ευρώ (€3.000) ή και στις δύο αυτές ποινές."	Sanctions for undermining the right (Article 46) and for destruction of documents (Article 53)
Dominican Republic	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 9. El incumplimiento de los plazos establecidos en el artículo anterior, asimismo, cualquier conducta que violente, limite, impida, restrinja u obstaculice el derecho de acceso a la información de acuerdo a lo que establece la presente ley, constituirá para el funcionario una falta grave en el ejercicio de sus funciones, sin perjuicio de la aplicación del régimen sancionatorio que corresponda. ARTICLE 30. El funcionario público o agente responsable que en forma arbitraria denegare, obstruya o impida el acceso del solicitante a la información requerida, será sancionado con pena privativa de libertad de seis meses a dos años de prisión, así como con inhabilitación para el ejercicio de cargos públicos por cinco años.	Art 9 considers this a breach of professional duty, but contains no specific sanctions. Art 30 has sanctions.
Ecuador	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 23 "Sanción a funcionarios y/o empleados públicos y privados.- Los funcionarios de las entidades de la Administración Pública y demás entes señalados en el artículo 1 de la presente Ley, que incurrieren en actos u omisiones de denegación ilegítima de acceso a la información pública, entendiéndose ésta como información que ha sido negada total o parcialmente ya sea por información incompleta, alterada o falsa que proporcionaron o debieron haber proporcionado, serán sancionados, según la gravedad de la falta, y sin perjuicio de las acciones civiles y penales a que hubiere lugar,(...)"
Finland	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	[Criminal Code of Finland] Chapter 40, section 9(1) If a public official, when acting in his or her office, intentionally in a manner other than provided above in this chapter violates his or her official duty based on the provisions or regulations to be followed in official functions, and the act, when assessed as a whole, taking into consideration its detrimental and harmful effect and the other circumstances connected with the act, is not petty, he or she shall be sentenced for violation of official duty to a fine or to imprisonment for at most one year. (2) The public official may also be sentenced to dismissal if he or she is guilty of the offence referred to in subsection 1 by continuously or essentially acting in violation of his or her official duties, and the offence indicates that he or she is manifestly unfit for his or her duties.	Link to the Criminal Code of Finland (In English) here.
Gambia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	76(1) A person who with intent to deny a right of access to information under this Act - (a) destroys, damages or alters information; (b) conceals information; (c) falsifies information or makes a false record; (d) obstructs the performance by an information holder of a duty under this Act; (e) interferes with or obstructs the work of the Commission; or (f) directs, proposes, counsels or causes any person in any manner to do any of the above, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not less than fifty thousand dalasis and not more than five hundred thousand dalasis or imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than one year.
Ghana	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	43(2) The Commission shall have the power to (c) make any determination as the Commission considers just and equitable including issuing recommendations or penalties in matters before the Commission; 81 A person who wilfully discloses information which is exempt from disclosure under this Act commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than three years or to both. 82(1) A failure or neglect by an information officer or other public officer to perform a function authorised by this Act where the occasion arises to perform that function constitutes a gross misconduct. (2) A person who (a) seeks or gains access to the personal record of another person under false pretences. (b) wilfully makes a false statement (i) to mislead any other person in order to gain access, or (ii) to gain access to information, or (c) with intent to deny right to information. (i) destroys, damages, alters or conceals a document, or (ii) makes a false entry in a document, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than three years or to both the fine and the term of imprisonment.	But sanctions in 81 for disclosing exempt information which is not necessary or helpful.
Guatemala	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Artículo 34. Tratamiento de los datos personales. Los titulares o sus representantes legales podrán solicitar, previa acreditación, que modifiquen sus datos personales contenidos en cualquier sistema de información. Con tal propósito, el interesado debe entregar una solicitud de modificaciones, en la que señale el sistema de datos personales, indique las modificaciones que desea realizar y aporte la documentación que motive su petición. El sujeto obligado debe entregar al solicitante, en un plazo no mayor de treinta días hábiles desde la presentación de la solicitud, una resolución que haga constar las modificaciones o bien, le informe de manera fundamentada, las razones por las cuales no procedieron las mismas. Artículo 41. Solicitud de información. Todo acceso a la información pública se realizará a petición del interesado, en la que se consignarán los siguientes datos: 1. Identificación del sujeto obligado a quien se dirija; 2. Identificación del solicitante; y, 3. Identificación clara y precisa de la información que se solicita. La solicitud de información no estará sujeta a ninguna otra formalidad, ni podrá exigirse la manifestación de una razón o interés específico como requisito de la misma. Artículo 59. Sentido de la resolución de la máxima autoridad. Las resoluciones de la máxima autoridad podrán: 1. Confirmar la decisión de la Unidad de Información; 2. Revocar o modificar las decisiones de la Unidad de Información y ordenar a la dependencia o entidad que permita al particular el acceso a la información solicitada, la entrega de la misma o las modificaciones, correcciones o supresiones a los datos personales sensibles solicitados. Las resoluciones, deben constar por escrito y establecer el plazo para su cumplimiento y los procedimientos para asegurar la ejecución.	Article 34 deals with destruction of documents. Article 41 deals with undermining the right. Article 59.
Guyana	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	50(1) A public authority shall maintain and preserve records in relation to its functions and a copy of all official documents which are created by it or which come at any time into its possession, custody or power. (2) A person who wilfully destroys or damages a record or document required to be maintained and preserved under subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of three hundred thousand dollars and imprisonment for six months. (3) A person who knowingly destroys or damages a record or document which is required to be maintained and preserved under subsection (1) while a request for access to the record or document is pending commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for one year. (4) A person who knowingly is in unlawful possession of an exempt document commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of three hundred thousand dollars and to imprisonment for six months. (5) A person to whom access to a document is given and that person alters or defaces, obliterates or erases, destroys or conceals any part of the document with the intention of preventing the accurate disclosure of its contents, if published, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of three hundred thousand dollars and imprisonment for six months. (6) A person who obstructs the Commissioner of Information or any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner of Information in the performance of the Commissioner of Information's duties and functions under this Act commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of three hundred thousand dollars and imprisonment for six months. (7) A person who discloses any content of exempt documents commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for six months. (8) A person who publishes exempt information on a website, blog site, any other social networking site, internet radio, or any other media commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for one year.	50 has sanctions for wilfully destroying documents and obstructing the commissioner.
Honduras	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	ARTICULO 27. INFRACCIONES ADMINISTRATIVAS. Sin perjuicio de la responsabilidad civil, incurrirá en infracción a esta Ley, quien: 1. Estando obligado por Ley, no proporcionare de oficio o se negare a suministrar la información publica requerida en el tiempo estipulado o de cualquier manera obstaculizare su acceso; 2. Copie, capte, consulte, divulgue o comercialice información reservada cuando la Ley lo prohíbe o en el caso de datos personales, se negare a proporcionarlos a su legitimo titular, sus sucesores o autoridad competente; 3. Elimine, suprima o altere información publica o reservada y los instrumentos que la contengan, sin seguir el procedimiento de depuración previsto en el articulo 32 de la presente Ley; 4. Fuera de los casos previstos en esta Ley, recoja, capte, transmita o divulgue datos personales, o se niegue a rectificarlos, actualizarlos o eliminar información falsa en los datos personales confidenciales contenidos en cualquier archivo, registro o base de datos de las Instituciones Obligadas por esta Ley; y, 5. Estando obligado, de conformidad con el articulo 4, segundo párrafo, de esta Ley, no envié la información relativa a los procedimientos de contratación y las contrataciones mismas a la Oficina Normativa de Contratación y Adquisiciones.
India	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 20(1) Where the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, at the time of deciding any complaint or appeal is of the opinion that the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, has, without any reasonable cause, refused to receive an application for information or has not furnished information within the time specified under sub-section (1) of section 7 or malafidely denied the request for information or knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or destroyed information which was the subject of the request or obstructed in any manner in furnishing the information, it shall impose a penalty of two hundred and fifty rupees each day till application is received or information is furnished, so however, the total amount of such penalty shall not exceed twenty-five thousand rupees: Provided that the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him: Provided further that the burden of proving that he acted reasonably and diligently shall be on the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer, as the case may be. (2) Where the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, at the time of deciding any complaint or appeal is of the opinion that the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, has, without any reasonable cause and persistently, failed to receive an application for information or has not furnished information within the time specified under sub-section (1) of section 7 or malafidely denied the request for information or knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or destroyed information which was the subject of the request or obstructed in any manner in furnishing the information, it shall recommend for disciplinary action against the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, under the service rules applicable to him.
Indonesia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	52. A Public Agency that deliberately ignores to supply, give and/or publish Public Information that must be made available periodically, Public Information that must be published immediately, Public Information that must be available at any time, and/or Public Information to be supplied on the basis of a request pursuant to this Law that results in a loss to others is sentenced to prison for a maximum of 1 (one) year and/or is fined for a maximum of Rp. 5,000,000.00 (five million rupiah). 53. Every person who deliberately and against the law demolishes, destroys and/or loses Public Information documents of any form of media that is protected by the state and/or is related to the interest of the public is sentenced with imprisonment of a maximum of 2 (two) years and/or is fined with a maximum f Rp. 10,000,000.00 (ten million rupiah).	52 and 53 seem to cover this.
Iran	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 22. The following acts are crimes if done deliberately and perpetrator will be fined in cash in the amount between 300,000 to 100,000,000 Rials depending on the level of harm, the number of committing of crime and the status of perpetrator: (A) Blocking access to information contrary to the regulation of this law. (B) Any action or non-action that hinders the duties of commission on publication and free access to information or duties of public institutions to inform, in violation of this law. (C) Trivial or general destruction of the information without having the authority. (D) Not following the deadlines of this law in regards to designated deadlines and [due dates]. In case for each of the mentioned crimes a more severe punishment has been designated [under the law], the more severe punishment should be considered in penalizing the perpetrator.
Ireland	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 52. Where an FOI request has been made in respect of a record, a person who without lawful excuse and with intention to deceive destroys or materially alters a record shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on summary conviction to a class B fine.
Israel	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	N/A	Yes - through the Courts.
Italy	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 47. The non-communication or incomplete communication of the information and data provided by article 14 related to the patrimonial situation of the holder of the duty at the moment of the appointment, the stock detained in companies, his shareholdings and those of his spouse and relatives in the second degree as well as all the compensation related to the appointment, give rise to an administrative sanction from 500 to 10.000 euros and the related decision is published on the website of the administration or body involved. 1-bis. The sanction provided by paragraph 1 is applied also to the manager who not perform the communication provided by article 14 paragraph 1-ter related to the public compensation received, as well as to the responsible for the non-publication of the information provided by the same article. the same sanction is applied to the responsible of the non-publication of the information provided by article 4-bis paragraph 2. (2) The violation of the obligation of publication provided by article 22 paragraph 2, leads to an administrative sanction from 500 to 10.000 euros against the responsible of the violation. The same sanction applies to managers who do not communicate to public shareholders their appointment and the related compensation within 30 days from the appointment, or within 30 days from the perception of the result compensation. (3) The sanctions provided by paragraph 1 are applied by the National Anti-Corruption Authority. The National Anti-Corruption Authority disciplines with regulation, in accordance with the dispositions of Law 24 November 1981, n. 689, the procedure of application of the sanctions.
Ivory Coast	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	25. Est puni d’une peine d’emprisonnement de trois mois à un an et d’une amende de deux cent cinquante mille à cinq cent mille francs ou de l’une de ces deux peines seulement, quiconque, sciemment: détruit, tronque ou modifie un document ou une information; falsifie un document ou établit un faux document ou fournit une fausse information. Article 26. Est puni d’une amende de cent mille à cinq cent mille francs, quiconque, sciemment: occulte un document ou une information; fait obstruction de quelque manière que ce soit à la délivrance de document ou d’information. Encourent les mêmes peines, les coauteurs et complices des infractions citées aux articles 25 et 26 de la présente loi.
Jamaica	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 34(1) A person commits an offence, if in relation to an official document to which a right of access is conferred under this Act he - (a) alters or defaces; (b) blocks or erases; (c) destroys; or (d) conceals, the document with the intention of preventing its disclosure. (2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction in a Resident Magistrate's Court to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Kenya	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 18(1) Where an application to access information has been made to a public entity under section 8 and the applicant would have been entitled, subject to payment of any fee, to provision of any information in accordance with that section, any person to whom this section applies commits an offence if he alters, defaces, blocks, erases, destroys or conceals any record held by the public entity, with the intention of preventing the disclosure by that entity of all, or any part, of the information provision of which the applicant would have been entitled. (2) Subsection (1) applies to the public entity and to any person who, is employed by, is an officer of, or is subject to the direction of, the public entity. (3) A person convicted of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both. [...] Article 28(3) An information access officer who - (a) refuses to assist a requester who is unable to write to reduce the oral request to writing in the prescribed form and provide a copy to the applicant in accordance with section 8(2); (b) refuses to accept a request for information; (c) fails to respond to a request for information within the prescribed time; or (d) fails to comply with the duty to take reasonable steps to make information available in a form that is capable of being read, viewed or heard by a requester with disability in accordance with section 11(3), commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both. (4) Any person who - (a) charges a fee exceeding the actual costs of making copies of such information and supplying them to the applicant; (b) fails to respond to a request for information required for the exercise or protection of a right in accordance with the requirements of this Act; (c) fails to respond to a request to correct personal information; or (d) it having been ascertained that information held is out of date, inaccurate or incomplete, fails within the prescribed time, or within a reasonable time if no time is prescribed, to correct, destroy or delete the information, or to attach a statement to the information in accordance with section 13, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. (5) Any person who is convicted of an offence under section 18(3) after a request has been made for disclosure of the information in question, with the intention of preventing the disclosure of that information in response to that request is liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. (6) Any relevant private body that fails to make publicly available the name and contact details of its information access officer or officers commits and offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings. (7) Any relevant private body that is convicted, or any officer of which is convicted of an offence under this Act, or which, although not convicted is in serious breach of this Act may, after a fair hearing, be debarred from entering into any future contract with government under the laws relating to matters of procurement and disposal.
Kosovo	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	32(1) The Agency is competent to impose fines against public institutions and responsible officers, in accordance with the provisions of this Law. (2) The financial means collected from the imposition of fines under Article 33 of this Law shall be deposited to the budget of the Republic of Kosovo. (3) Prior to imposing any of the fines provided under Article 33 of this Law, the Agency shall inform the public institution of the purpose and the reason for imposing the fine and shall provide a time limit of not less than seven (7) days to remedy the identified violation, so that the fine is not imposed. (4) In the procedure for imposing fines under this Law, the Agency shall act in accordance with the provisions of the relevant law governing the procedure for imposing fines by the Agency. (5) In case the public institution does not improve the identified violation according to the instructions of the Agency, the latter shall make a decision to impose the fine. 33(2) The institution or the responsible official of the competent public institution that allows the damaging, destruction, concealing, or in any way or form makes the public document unclear, with the purpose of disallowing the realization of the right of access to the public documents by the interested applicant shall be penalized according to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.
Kuwait	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	14. Shall be punished by imprisonment for a duration that does not exceed two years and a fine that does not exceed Three Thousand Dinars or by one of these two penalties: 1. Every competent employee who refrained from providing the information to the applicant with no legal grounds. 2. Every competent employee who gave erroneous information to the applicant. 3. The person who intentionally destroyed documents pertaining to the information. 4. Everyone who violates the confidentiality of the information which was decided by virtue of this law or any other law.
Latvia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	N/A	Law on disciplinary responsibility of civil servants provides for disciplinary action/liability in such cases. In cases where administrative person is not a subject to the rules of civil service, disciplinary action is presupposed by the Labour law. Unauthorized destruction of information. The law On Archives (Art. 4) provides for the duty of institutions to ensure proper management of their information and provides for responsibility and liability accordingly (disciplinary and administrative).
Liberia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	7.1: "Fines for violations: The person deemed responsible for a public authority or private entity to violate this act will be subject to a fine not less than L$5,000 and not greater than L$10,000.00 in addition to reimbursement of any reasonable attorney costs incurred by the successful applicant."	7.1 - direct fines for anyone violating the act.
Malawi	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	51.(1) Any person who willfully conceals, destroys, mutilates, falsifies or otherwise alters a document or record containing information which has been requested with intent to prevent disclosure of the information, commits an offence and shall, on conviction be liable to a fine of three million Kwacha (K3, 000,000.00) and imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. 52. Any person who provides false information maliciously intended to injure another person commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine of five hundred thousand Kwacha (K500,000.00) and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years. 53. Where an information holder wrongfully denies to disclose information either through negligence, recklessness or otherwise under this Act, whether it is in response to a specific request for information or disclosure of information under Part IV, the officer or institution responsible shall be liable to a fine of three million Kwacha (K3,000,000.00). 54. Any person who, having being granted access to information under this Act, uses that information – (a) for unlawful purposes; (b) for reasons other than those for which a request for information was made, without the authority of an information holder; or (c) in such a manner so as to be detrimental to the interests of public officers, information holders or public interest, commits an offence, and shall, on conviction be liable to a fine of three million Kwacha (K3,000,000.00) and imprisonment for three years.	Full points here, due to the scoring rules, though the presence of parallel sanctions for using information for illegal purposes is highly problematic.
Maldives	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	36(e) Where the Information Officer sought assistance from any employee in the State Institute in accordance with subsection (d) of this Act, such assistance must be provided. And where a breach of this Act had taken place for the purpose of the investigation, such employee shall be deemed as the same as an Information Officer. 61(a) Having examined a lodged appeal or complaint under this Act, the Information Commissioner, can settled the matter in the following ways: (9) To fine any Information Officer who has breached provisions of this Act; (10) To fine any party who breached a lawful order given by the Information Commissioner; (11) To order a State Institute to take disciplinary measures against an Information Officer, of that State Institute, repeatedly breaching provisions prescribed in this Act. (12) To order the police to investigate any case of any person alleged to have committed an offence prescribed under this Act, and where, after the police investigation, the Information Commissioner finds legal action should be brought against the person, to send the case to the Prosecutor General. 67(a) Where the Information Officer commits any of the following, the Information Commissioner must impose a fine on him, of not more than 5000 (five thousand) Rufiyaa. (1) Refusal to accept a request for access to information without justifiable reason; (2) Refusal to provide access to information, without justifiable reason, within the time limits prescribed in this Act; (3) Refusal to provide information with bad intent; (4) providing incomplete or misleading or incorrect information. (b) The Information Commissioner must order a State Institute to take disciplinary measures against an Information Officer as having repeatedly breached provisions prescribed in this Act. (c) Where any person commits any of the following, the Information Commissioner has the power to charge a fine of not more than MFR 25,000 (twenty-five thousand). (1) Where the State Institute or the Information Officer obstructs duties to be carried out under this Act; (2) Obstruction of the duties to be carried out by the Information Commissioner under this Act; (3) Destroying information subject to a request of access under this Act, with bad intention; (4) Misappropriation or tempering with information held at a State Institute contrary to the decided procedure.
Malta	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Art. 27 establishes that the Commissioner can levy administrative fines to those who fail to comply with his notices. Art. 43. Art. 144 of the Criminal Code shall apply to any person who embezzles, destroys, mutilates or purloins a document with the intent ion of preventing the disclosure of information to an applicant under this Act.	The Criminal Code can be found here.
Mexico	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 206. The Federal Act and those of the States will set forth as penalty causes for breach of its obligations under the terms of this Act, at least the following: I. The lack of response to requests for information within the time speci ed in the applicable regulations; II. Acting with negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the substantiation of requests regarding access to information or by not disseminating information concerning the transparency obligations under this Act; III. Not meeting the deadlines under this Act; IV. Using, removing, disclosing, hiding, altering, mutilating, destroying or rendering useless, totally or partially, without legitimate cause, according to a relevant authority, the information in the custody of the regulated entities and their Public Servants or to which they have access or knowledge by reason of their employment, office or commission; V. Delivering incomprehensible, incomplete information, in an inaccessible format or a mode of shipment or delivery di erent from the one requested by the user in his request for access to information, responding without proper grounds as established by this Act; VI. Not updating the information corresponding to the transparency obligations within the terms set forth in this Act; VII. Intentionally or negligently declaring the lack of information when the regulated entity should generate it, derived from the exercise of its powers, duties or functions; VIII. Declaring the lack of information when it wholly or partly exists in its archives; IX. Not documenting with intent or negligence, the exercise of its powers, duties, functions or acts of authority in accordance with applicable regulations; X. Performing acts to intimidate those seeking information or inhibit the exercise of the right; XI. Intentionally denying information not classi ed as secret or con dential; XII. Classifying as confidential, intentionally or negligently, the information without it meeting the characteristics indicated in this Act. The penalty shall apply when there is a prior ruling by the Guarantor Agency, which is nal; XIII. Not declassifying information as secret when the reasons that gave rise thereto no longer exist or have expired, when the Guarantor Agency determines that there is a cause of public concern that persists or no extension is requested by the Transparency Committee; XIV. Not meeting the requirements laid down in this Act, issued by the Guarantor Agencies, or XV. Not complying with the resolutions issued by the Guarantor Agencies in the exercise of their functions. The Federal Act and those of the States shall establish the criteria to qualify the penalties, according to the seriousness of the o ense and, where appropriate, the economic conditions of the o ender and recidivism. Likewise, they shall include the type of penalties, procedures and terms for implementation. The penalties of an economic character may not be paid with public funds.
Mongolia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	14.3. An organization specified in the article 3.1 of this law is prohibited to illegally destroy information in its possession and infringe rights of citizen to exercise his/her right to receive information. 25.1. Any one of the disciplinary liabilities, those are provided in the article 26 of the Law on Civil Service, shall be imposed on the civil servant, considering the characters of the violation, who violated the laws and legislations on the Information transparency and right to information by the competent authority who appointed the civil servant. 25.2. A civil servant who repeatedly or seriously violated the right of the citizen and legal entity to receive information shall be dismissed from his job on the ground specified in the provision 25.1.1 of the Law on Civil Service by the competent official. 25.3. A judge shall fine the respective decision making person who violated the article 25.2 of this Law by tugrugs equal to five times the minimum labor wage.
Namibia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	81. A person who - (a) destroys, damages or alters information required to be kept or requested in terms of this Act; (b) conceals information requested in terms of this Act; (c) falsifies or manipulates information or provides a false record or document as information requested in terms of this Act; (d) obstructs, interferes or hinders an information officer or any other staff member of a public or private entity in the exercise or performance of his or her powers or functions under or in terms of this Act; (e) obstructs, interferes or hinders the Information Commissioner, Deputy Information Commissioner or his or her staff member or any other person in the exercise or performance of the powers or functions of the Information Commissioner under or in terms of this Act; (f) accesses information exempt from disclosure in terms this Act without relevant authorisation; or (g) assists, directs, proposes, advises or causes any person in any manner to do any act referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N$100 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or to both such fine and such imprisonment. 82. If an information officer - (a) without a valid reason, refuses to receive a request for access to information; (b) fails to respond to a request within the period specified in section 37 or if that period has been extended in accordance with section 39 within such extended period; (c) fails to comply with an order of the Information Commissioner; (d) refuses to grant a request for access to information in a frivolous or vexatious conduct; (e) gives incorrect, incomplete or misleading information; or (f) obstructs in any manner the release of information granted, the information officer is liable to an administrative fine of not less than N$2 000 and not more than N$30 000 as the Information Commissioner or any court of law may impose for each day the request is not complied with.	Comprehensive although sanction on accessing info exempt from disclosure troubling
Nepal	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	9(3) While conducting investigation pursuant Sub-Section (2), if it is found that the Information Officer denied to provide information or partially provided the information knowingly or with mala fide intention or provided wrong information, the Chief may take departmental action against such Information Officer. 32. Punishment: (1) If the Commission finds that Chief of public Body or Information Officer has held back information without valid reason, refused to information or provided partial or wrong information or destroyed information; the Commission may impose a fine to such Chief or Information Officer from Rupees One Thousand Rupees to Twenty Five Thousand Rupees and if such Chief or Information Officer is in eligible for departmental action, it may write to the concerned Body for departmental action. (2) If the Chief of a public Body or Information Officer, delay to provide information which has to be provided on time without reason, shall be punished with a fine of Two Hundred Rupees per day so is delayed to provide the information. (3) If the Commission writes to the concerned Body for Departmental action pursuant to Sub-Section (1), the Public Body shall take Departmental action against that Chief or Information Officer within three months and notify the same to the Commission.
Netherlands	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Netherlands Criminal Law.
Nicaragua	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Artículo 47.- Será sancionado con multa de uno a seis meses de su salario mensual el servidor público que: a. Deniegue sin causa justa información pública que se le solicite. b. Destruya total o parcialmente o altere información pública que tenga a su cargo. c. Entregue, copie, difunda o comercialice información pública reservada. d. Clasifique como información reservada aquella que es pública. Todo sin perjuicio de las atribuciones y facultades de la Asamblea Nacional.
Niger	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	32: Toute autorité administrative, tout agent d’un service qui refuse de fournir ou fait obstacle à l’accès à l’information publique et aux documents administratifs communicables qu’il détient ou dont il a connaissance à l’occasion du service, encourt les sanctions prévues par la législation et la réglementation en vigueur. L’administration est tenue de réparer le préjudice qui en est résulté.	Article 32 seems to cover this
Nigeria	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	10 It is a criminal offence punishable on conviction by the Court with a minimum of 1 year imprisonment for any officer or head of any government or public institution to which this Act applies to willfully destroy any records kept in his custody or attempt to doctor or otherwise alter same before they are released to any person, entity or community applying for it. 7 (1) Where the government or public institution refuses to give access to a record or information applied for under this Act, or a part thereof, the institution shall state in the notice given to the applicant the grounds for the refusal, the specific provision of this Act that it relates to and that the applicant has a right to challenge the decision refusing access and have it reviewed by a Court. (2) A notification of denial of any application for information or records shall state the names, designation and signature, of each person responsible for the denial of such application. (3) The government or public institution shall be required to indicate under subsection (1) of this Section whether the information or record exists. (4) Where the government or public institution fails to give access to information or record applied for under this Act or part thereof within the time limit set out in this Act, the institution shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have refused to give access. (5) Where a case of wrongful denial of access is established, the defaulting officer or institution commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500, 000.	S. 10 creates a sanction for destroying documents or doctoring them, and s. 7 has a fine for withholding access wrongfully - between the two that seems to cover it.
North Macedonia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Art. 39 "A fine of 30,000 to 50,000 denars shall be imposed for an offense to the responsible person i.e. the official with the information holder having failed to provide information of public character in accordance with the provisions of the present Law."
Pakistan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	20(1) The Information Commission shall have all the powers, direct or incidental, as are necessary to perform its functions as provided for in this Act and the power to acquire, hold and dispose of property including the power to- (f) impose on the official a fine equivalent to his salary for one day, for a maximum of one hundred days, who has acted willfully to obstruct any activity which is required to be undertaken by this Act, including preventing or delaying the disclosure of information to an applicant; (h) the Information Commission after determination of willful destruction of record shall refer such matters to the relevant agencies; 22 ( i) Any person who acts wilfully to obstruct the implementation of this Act including by- (a) obstructing access to any information or record with a view to preventing the exercise of a right provided for in this Act; (b) obstructing the performance by a public body of a duty under this Act; (c) interfering with the work of the Information Commission; or (d) destroying a record without lawful authority, shall be punishable with a fine not exceeding fifty thousand Rupees. (2) In addition to any other action that may be taken under any other law for the time being in force, any person who wilfully destroys a record which at the time it was destroyed was the subject of an application for access to information or appeal or otherwise obstructs access to information which is the subject of an application or appeal, with the intention of preventing its disclosure under this Act, commits an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which shall not be less than one hundred thousand Rupees or with both.
Panama	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Artículo 20: El funcionario requerido por el Tribunal que conoce del Recurso de Hábeas Data, que incumpla con la obligación de suministrar la información, incurrirá en desacato y será sancionado con multa mínima equivalente al doble del salario mensual que devenga. En caso de reincidencia, el funcionario será sancionado con la destitución del cargo. Artículo 21: La persona afectada por habérsele negado el acceso a la información, una vez cumplidos con los requisitos y trámites expuestos en la presente Ley, tendrá derecho a demandar civilmente al servidor público responsable por los daños y perjuicios que se le hayan ocasionado. Artículo 22: El funcionario que obstaculice el acceso a la información, destruya o altere un documento o registro, sin perjuicio de las responsabilidades administrativas y penales derivadas del hecho, será sancionado con multa equivalente a dos veces el salario mensual que devenga.	Art 20 - 22 of Law 6 of 2002. Art 40 allows the oversight body to impose fines on public officials of up to 50% of their salary.
Paraguay	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 5 Responsibility. Those that manage, manipulate, preserve or maintain public information, shall be personally responsible for their actions or omissions that result in the concealment, alteration, loss or dismemberment of the same, without prejudice to the State liability. Article 28 Administrative Summary. The breach of the duties and obligations under this Act, by public servants, will also be considered as a serious offense and will incur administrative liability, which shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Law No. 1,626 / 00 "CIVIL" and the relevant legal provisions.Article 29: Governing Law. In the event that the breach is committed by an individual who is not a public official or employee, the sanctions established in the laws governing their employment with public source to which it belongs will apply.
Peru	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	22 Información que deben publicar todas las Entidades de la Administración Pública: Toda Entidad de la Administración Pública publicará, trimestralmente, lo siguiente: 1. Su Presupuesto, especificando: los ingresos, gastos, financiamiento, y resultados operativos de conformidad con los clasificadores presupuestales vigentes. 2. Los proyectos de inversión pública en ejecución, especificando: el presupuesto total de proyecto, el presupuesto del período correspondiente y su nivel de ejecución y el presupuesto acumulado. 3. Información de su personal especificando: personal activo y, de ser el caso, pasivo, número de funcionarios, directivos, profesionales, técnicos, auxiliares, sean éstos nombrados o contratados por un período mayor a tres (3) meses en el plazo de un año, sin importar el régimen laboral al que se encuentren sujetos, o la denominación del presupuesto o cargo que desempeñen; rango salarial por categoría y el total del gasto de remuneraciones, bonificaciones, y cualquier otro concepto de índole remunerativo, sea pensionable o no. 4. Información contenida en el Registro de procesos de selección de contrataciones y adquisiciones, especificando: los valores referenciales, nombres de contratistas, montos de los contratos, penalidades y sanciones y costo final, de ser el caso. 5. Los progresos realizados en los indicadores de desempeño establecidos en los planes estratégicos institucionales o en los indicadores que les serán aplicados, en el caso de entidades que hayan suscrito Convenios de Gestión. Las Entidades de la Administración Pública están en la obligación de remitir la referida información al Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas, para que éste la incluya en su portal de internet, dentro de los cinco (5) días calendario siguientes a su publicación.	Art. 22 of TUO of the 27806 law.
Qatar	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	مادة 22: يعاقب بالغرامة التي لا تزيد على (20,000) عشرين ألف ريال، كل من تدخل في عمل أحد المختصين بتطبيق أحكام هذا القانون بقصد إعاقته عن تقديم المعلومات23 يُعاقب بالغرامة التي لا تزيد على (50,000) خمسين ألف ريال، كل مختص بتطبيق أحكام هذا القانون يرتكب أحد الأفعال التالية: (1) حجب أو امتنع عمداً ودون مقتضٍ، عن تقديم المعلومات المطلوبة وفقاً لأحكام هذا القانون. (2) قدم معلومات غير صحيحة مع علمه بذلك 22. Anyone who interferes in the work of one of the specialists in implementing the provisions of this law with the intention of obstructing him from providing information shall be punished with a fine not exceeding (20,000) twenty thousand riyals. 23. Anyone responsible for implementing the provisions of this law who commits one of the following acts shall be punished with a fine not exceeding (50,000) fifty thousand riyals: (1) Deliberately and unjustifiably withholding or abstaining from providing the information required in accordance with the provisions of this law. (2) Knowlingly providing incorrect information	Undermining the right is proscribed, but there is no offence specific to destroying documents. Also, Article 25 provides for much harsher sanctions - up to 10 years' imprisonment - for wrongly disclosing information.
Romania	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 21: "The explicit or silent refusal of the designated employee within a public authority or organization to enforce the provisions of this law shall be considered as infringement and the employee shall be deemed disciplinary responsible. [...] If after administrative investigation the complaint is found wellgrounded, the individual shall receive an answer no later than 15 days from the submission of the complaint; the answer shall contain the public information previously requested and the mentioning of the disciplinary sanctions imposed to the person found guilty." Criminal Code of Romania, Article 242.
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	37(d); 50
Serbia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 44. "The public authority shall be held liable for damages caused by the inability of a media outlet to publish information because a public authority had without justification denied or limited its rights to access information of public importance from Article 5 of this Law, i.e. because a public authority gave preference to a journalist or media outlet in contravention of provisions of Article 7 of this Law." Article 46: "A fine between 5,000 and 50,000 dinars shall be imposed upon the authorized person in a public authority if the public authority: 1. Acts in contravention of the principle of equality (Article 6); 2. Discriminates against a journalist or a media outlet (Article 7); 3. Fails to specify the information medium, where and when the requested information was published (Para 2 of Article 10); 4. Fails to communicate accurate and complete information, i.e. fails to allow insight in a document containing accurate and complete information. (Article 11); 5. Fails to allow the applicant insight in a document or to make a copy of the document in the language in which the request was submitted (Para 4 of Article 18); 6. Refuses to receive a request, fails to inform the applicant of possessing the information, or fails to allow insight in a document containing the requested information, i.e. does not deliver a copy of the document in an appropriate way, fails to issue a decision on rejecting the request and refuses to provide the applicants with the necessary assistance for exercising their rights (Sub-Para 1 of Para 2 of Article 38)."	No specific mention about the destruction of information, but the scope for sanctions is broad enough to think that is included.
Seychelles	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	63(3) The Information Commission May impose a fine not exceeding SCR25,000 in cases where the Information Officer without any reasonable cause, refused to receive an application for information or has not furnished information within the time specified under part II of the Act or in bad faith denied the request for information or knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or destroyed information which was the subject of the request or, obstructed in any manner in furnishing the information. 67. A person who with intent to deny a right of access to information under this Act— (a) destroys, damages or alters information, (b) conceals information; (e) falsifies information or makes a false record, (d) obstructs the performance by an information holder of a duty under this Act; (e) interferes or obstructs the work of the Information Commission; or (f) directs, proposes, counsels or causes any person in any manner to do any of the above, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and a fine of SCR200, 000 or with both imprisonment and fine.	Fines by Commission and criminal offences.
Sierra Leone	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	32(8)(d) causes an obstruction or disturbance in the course of any proceedings before the Commission, commits an offence and is liable on conviction in the case of an individual to a fine not exceeding ten million Leones or in the case of a corporate body to a fine not exceeding one hundred million leones or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both the fine and imprisonment. 47. Any person who wilfully (a) denies or obstructs the access of any other person to any record or information contrary to this Act; (b) obstructs compliance by a public authority of any of its obligations under this Act; (c) interferes with the work of the Commission or other officer of the Commission; (d) destroys a record with intent to deny access to a request made under this Act; or (e) deliberately conceals or falsifies records or provides false, misleading, incomplete or inaccurate information in response to a request made under this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten million Leones in the case of an individual and one hundred million leones in the case of a body corporate or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year to both the fine and imprisonment. 48. (1) Any person who without reasonable excuse, fails to supply information requested under this Act, within the period specified in this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten million Leones in the case of an individual and one hundred million leones in the case of a body corporate or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both the fine and imprisonment. (2) Any person who without reasonable excuse, refuses to accept an application for information requested under this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten million Leones in the case of an individual and one hundred million leones in the case of a body corporate or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both the fine and imprisonment.
Slovakia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Section 42a Violation of the Right to Information: \"(1) Any person intentionally issuing and disclosing untrue or inaccurate information, or breaching any obligation stipulated in a special regulation 3a) ,or giving rise to the violation of the right to information by issuing a decision, order or any other measure, shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A fine up to SKK 50,000 may be imposed for an offence under paragraph 1 and relevant activity banned f or up to two years.â€
Slovenia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Art 39. "(1) A fine of at least SIT 250.000 shall be imposed upon a person for the misdemeanor of destruction of a document, a case, a dossier, a register, a record or a documentary material containing public information, with the intention of making such information inaccessible to the public."
South Africa	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	90(1) A person who with intent to deny a right of access in terms of this Act— (a) destroys, damages or alters a record; (b) conceals a record; or (c) falsifies a record or makes a false record, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.
South Sudan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	52(1)
Sri Lanka	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Section 38. (1) Where (a) any information officer willfully - (i) refuses to receive an application for information from any citizen; (ii) refuses a request made for information, without giving reasons for such refusal; (iii) stipulates excessive fees in breach of the fee Schedule referred to in section 14 (e); (iv) otherwise fails to process a request in accordance with the provisions of this Act; or (b) any designated officer willfully (i) under section 31 refuses an appeal, made on any ground other than a ground specified in section 5 of this Act; (ii) failed without any reasonable cause to make a decision on an appeal, within the time specified under section 31(3) for making such decision, the Commission shall, bring the matter to the notice of the appropriate disciplinary authority. (2) The relevant disciplinary authority shall inform the Commission of the steps taken in respect of any matter brought to the notice of such disciplinary authority within a period of one month. Section 39. (1) Every person who (a) deliberately obstructs the provision of information or intentionally provides incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate information; (b) destroys, invalidates, alters or totally or partially conceal information under his or her custody, or to which he or she has access to or knowledge of due to the exercise of his or her employment in such public authority; (c) fails or refuses to appear before the Commission when requested to do so by the Commission; (d) appears before the Commission, and fails or refuses to be examined by the Commission or to produce any information which is in that persons possession or power or deliberately provides false information under oath or affirmation; (e) fails or refuses to comply with or give effect to a decision of the Commission; (f) resists or obstructs the Commission or any officer or other employee of the Commission, in the exercise of any power conferred on the Commission or such officer or employee, by this Act; (g) discloses any information in contravention of the provisions of section 12(7) of this Act, commits an offence under this Act and shall on conviction after summary trial by a Magistrate be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment. (2) Any officer whose assistance was sought for by an information officer under section 23(3) and who fails without reasonable cause to provide such assistance, shall commit an offence under this Act, and shall on conviction after summary trial by a Magistrate be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees. (3) A fine imposed for the commission of an offence referred to in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any disciplinary action that may be taken against such officer by the relevant authority empowered to do so. (4) A prosecution under this Act shall be instituted by the Commission.
Sudan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	18. 1) Any person who deliberately undertakes the following shall be deemed to be a perpetrator of a crime: (a) Prevent access to or obtaining any information by virtue of the provisions of this law, (b) Destruction, alteration, falsification, deletion, with or without purpose, of information or documents from a competent authority. (2) Any person who violates the provisions of this law or the regulations issued under it shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, a fine, or both punishments.	Broad grounds for obstructing access
Sweden	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 6 " If proceedings can be taken by means of disciplinary measures against an official who, in disregarding the obligations of his office or his commission, has committed an error, the Ombudsmen may report the matter to those empowered to decide on such measures. Should the Ombudsmen consider it necessary that the official be dismissed or temporarily deprived of his office because of criminal acts or gross or repeated misconduct, the Ombudsman may report the matter to those empowered to decide on such a measure. When an Ombudsman has made a report of the kind referred to in the two preceding paragraphs, he is to be given the opportunity to supplement his own inquiry into the case, and to submit an opinion on any inquiry into the case carried out by some other person, as well as the right to be present if oral questioning occurs. This is not to apply, however, if the case concerns temporary deprival of office. Act (1998:540)"
Tanzania	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Section 22: A person who alters, defaces, blocks, erases, destroys or conceals any information held by the information holder, with the intention of preventing the disclosure by such information holder, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both
Tunisia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Art. 57 - Est puni d’une amende allant de cinq cents (500) dinars jusqu’aux cinq mille (5.000) dinars, quiconque qui entrave intentionnellement l’accès à l’information au sein des organismes soumis aux dispositions de la présente loi. Est puni de la sanction prévue par l’article 163 du code pénal, quiconque qui endommage intentionnellement l’information d’une manière illégale ou qui incite une autre personne pour le commettre. Art. 58 - Hormis les sanctions prévues par l’article 57 de la présente loi, tout agent public ne respectant pas les dispositions de cette loi organique, sera objet de poursuites disciplinaires conformément à la législation en vigueur.
Turkey	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 29 (Criminal Provisions): "Without prejudice to any prosecution to be conducted by virtue of general provisions of criminal law, the officials and other civil servants who negligently, recklessly or deliberately obstruct the application of this law, shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions as provided in the relevant regulations of personnel regime. The information and documents that are obtained according to this law, cannot be copied and used for commercial interest".	The definition of the article is extensive and seems to cover this.
Uganda	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	46. Offences. A person who with intent to deny a right of access under this Act - (a) destroys, damages or alters a record; (b) conceals a record; or (c) falsifies a record or makes a false record, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and forty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three year or both.	Section 46
Ukraine	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	24.1 Responsibility for violation of legislation on access to public information shall be borne by persons guilty of commission of the following offences: 1) failure to provide a reply to the request; 2) failure to provide requested information; 3) ungrounded refusal to satisfy information request; 4) failure to publish information in accordance with Article 15 of this Law; 5) provision or publication of false, inaccurate or incomplete information; 6) late provision of information; 7) ungrounded referring of information to information with limited access; 8) failure to register documents; 9) wilful withholding or destruction of information or documents. 24.2 Persons who believe that their rights and legal interests were violated by information administrators shall have the right to seek compensation of material and moral damages in accordance with procedure defined by the law. 3.1 The right of access to public information shall be guaranteed by: (6) legal liability for violation of legislation on access to public information.
United Kingdom	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Section 77.
Uruguay	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Artículo 18. (Silencio positivo).- El organismo requerido sólo podrá negar la expedición de la información solicitada mediante resolución motivada del jerarca del organismo que señale su carácter reservado o confidencial, indicando las disposiciones legales en que se funde. Vencido el plazo de veinte días hábiles desde la presentación de la solicitud, si no ha mediado prórroga o vencida la misma sin que exista resolución expresa notificada al interesado, éste podrá acceder a la información respectiva, considerándose falta grave la negativa de cualquier funcionario a proveérsela, de conformidad con las previsiones de la Ley Nº 17.060, de 23 de diciembre de 1998, y del artículo 31 de la presente ley. Artículo 31. (Responsabilidad administrativa).- Constituirán falta grave, sin perjuicio de las responsabilidades civiles y penales que pudieran corresponder: A) Denegar información no clasificada como reservada o confidencial. B) La omisión o suministro parcial de la información requerida, actuando con negligencia, dolo o mala fe. C) Permitir el acceso injustificado a información clasificada como reservada o confidencial. D) La utilización, sustracción, ocultamiento, divulgación o alteración total o parcial en forma indebida de la información que se encuentra bajo su custodia o a la que se tenga acceso por razones funcionales.	Art 18 makes the failure to provide information an administrative offence, Art 31 provides broader offences.
Vanuatu	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	86. Offences (1) A person who: (a) refuses to receive an application for information; or (b) in bad faith, denies an application for information; or (c) knowingly gives incomplete, misleading or wrong information; or (d) destroys information, without lawful authority; or (e) obstructs access in any way to any information; or (f) obstructs the performance of a Government agency, relevant private entity or private entity from carrying out a duty under this Act; or (g) interferes with or obstructs the work of the Information Commissioner, a Right to Information Officer or any other officer assisting the Information Commissioner or the Right to Information Officer; or (h) directs, proposes, counsels or causes any person in any manner to do any of the above, commits an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding VT500,000 or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both. (2) If a Right to Information Officer, without reasonable cause: (a) refuses to receive an application; or (b) has not responded to an application within the time specified in this Act; or (c) has vexatiously denied an application; or (d) has given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information; or (e) refuses to render any assistance under this Act; or (f) obstructed in any manner the release of information, he or she commits an offence punishable on conviction by a fine of VT500,000.	-
Vietnam	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	Article 11. Prohibited Acts: (1) Intentionally providing incorrect and insufficient information; delaying information provision; destroying information; falsifying information; (4) Obstructing, threatening, victimizing information requester or information provider. Article 15(1): Persons violating the provisions of the law on access to information shall be disciplined, handled for administrative violations or examined for penal liabilities depending on the nature and seriousness of their violations; (2) When persons responsible for information provision commit one of the acts specified in Article 11 of this Law, which causes damage, the state agencies providing information shall pay for the damages and the individuals that commit acts of violation shall have to repay according to regulations of the law on state compensation liability. Article 34(2): The head of the agency providing information shall be responsible for ensuring the performance of information provision in the agency, timely handling the person in charge of providing information under his/her jurisdiction management who obstructs the exercise of the right to access to information of citizen; (3) The person assigned to provide information shall be responsible for providing citizens with sufficient information in a timely manner and shall not harass, obstruct or cause difficulties while performing their tasks.
Yemen	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	58: "A penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand riyals to each one who has concealed any information due to look at and deliberately under the provisions of this law." 60: "A penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than three months or a fine of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand riyals to each employee who has violated deliberately the provisions of articles (18-23), (25-27), (51-55), 58) of this law." 61: "A penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than two years or a fine of not less than five hundred thousand riyals to every person who has deliberately violated the provisions of Article (11) of the Act." 62: "National Information Center is one of those parties that collect and analyze information and maintain them for submission upon request, in accordance with the provisions of this law."	Art 58 - one year or a fine of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand riyals for hiding information. Art 60 - imprisonment for a period of not less than three months and not exceeding one year or a fine of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand riyals for misleading the applicant. Art 61 - same for violating some other articles of the law - but this includes the exceptions which is problematic.Art 62 - A penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than two years or a fine of not less than five hundred thousand riyals to every person who has deliberately failed to publish their required annual report (proactive publication).
Zambia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	YES	2	35, 36
Argentina	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	ARTÍCULO 18° — Responsabilidades. El funcionario público o agente responsable que en forma arbitraria obstruya el acceso del solicitante a la información pública requerida, o la suministre en forma incompleta u obstaculice de cualquier modo el cumplimiento de esta ley, incurre en falta grave sin perjuicio de las responsabilidades administrativas, patrimoniales y penales que pudieran caberle conforme lo previsto en las normas vigentes.
Belize	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	21B. Every principal officer of a Ministry, Department or prescribed authority who refuses or neglects without cause to provide access to public documents in accordance with the provisions of the Act, is guilty of an offence against discipline and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars by the authority responsible for exercising disciplinary control over such officer, or such other penalty, including dismissal, as the said authority may consider appropriate in all the circumstances of the case.	Imposes sanctions on those who refuse or neglect to provide access to public documents. No mention of destruction of documents.
Benin	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	71:... Toute entrave aux droits d’accès à l’information est passible de sanction administrative et/ou judiciaire.	Very broad and general sanction powers.
Burkina Faso	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Article 83: Les sanctions administratives encourues aux termes de la présente loi sont : - la lettre d’explication ; - l’avertissement ; - le blâme ; - la suspension de fonction ; - la rétrogradation ; - la révocation. Article 85 : Est puni d’une amende de cinquante mille (50 000) à deux cent mille (200 000) francs CFA, quiconque donne accès à un document ou à un renseignement dont la présente loi ne permet pas la communication ou auquel un organisme de service public, conformément à la présente loi, refuse de donner accès. Article 86 : Nonobstant les sanctions disciplinaires encourues pour obstruction à l’exercice du droit d’accès à l’information et aux documents administratifs, l’agent peut faire l’objet de poursuites pénales, conformément aux dispositions de la loi portant protection des archives et au code pénal. Article 87 : Est puni d’une amende de deux cent mille (200 000) à trois cent mille (300 000) francs CFA, quiconque entrave le déroulement d’une enquête, d’une inspection ou l’instruction d’une demande par l’Autorité nationale d’accès à l’information publique en lui communiquant, sciemment, des renseignements faux ou inexacts.	Seems to envisage disciplinary sanctions for obstruction but not clearly set out (apart from obstructing the oversight body). Also, fines for disclosing secret information.
China	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	52 Where administrative organs violate the provisions of these Regulations by failing to establish and complete relevant systems and mechanisms for open government information, the administrative organ at the level above is responsible for ordering corrections; where the circumstances are serious, the leaders with responsibility and directly responsible personnel are given sanctions in accordance with law. 53 In any of the following circumstances, where administrative organs violate the provisions of these Regulations, the administrative organ at the level above is to order corrections; and where the circumstances are serious the leaders with responsibility and directly responsible personnel are given sanctions in accordance with law; and where a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility is pursued in accordance with law. (1) Not performing open government information functions in accordance with law; (2) Not promptly updating the contents of government information that has been disclosed, the open government information handbook, and the open government information catalog; (3) Other circumstances violating the provisions of this Regulation.	General power to sanction but not very clear; no specific mention of destroying documents
Cook Islands	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	27. Offences - Every person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200 who- (a) Without lawful justification or excuse, wilfully obstructs, hinders, or resists the Ombudsman or any other person in the exercise of his powers under this Act; (b) Without lawful justification or excuse, refuses or wilfully fails to comply with any lawful requirement of the Ombudsman or any other person under this Act; (c) Wilfully makes any false statement to or misleads or attempts to mislead the Ombudsman or any other person in the exercise of his powers under this Act; (d) Represents directly or indirectly that he holds any authority under this Act when he does not hold that authority.	Art 27 of the Ombudsman Act makes it a crime to obstruct the ombudsman.
El Salvador	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	ARTICLE 76 Las infracciones a la presente ley se clasifican en muy graves, graves y leves. Son infracciones muy graves: a. Sustraer, destruir, ocultar, inutilizar o alterar, total o parcialmente, información que se encuentre bajo su custodia o a la que tengan acceso o conocimiento con motivo de su empleo, cargo o comisión. b. Entregar o difundir información reservada o confidencial. c. No proporcionar la información cuya entrega haya sido ordenada por el Instituto. d. El incumplimiento por parte del funcionario competente de nombrar a los Oficiales de Información. e. Negarse a entregar la información solicitada, sin la debida justificación. f. Tener la información bajo su custodia de manera desactualizada, desordenada, en violación ostensible a las medidas archivísticas establecidas en esta ley y por el Instituto. Son infracciones graves a. Actuar con negligencia en la sustanciación de las solicitudes de acceso a la información o en la difusión de la información a que están obligados conforme a esta ley. b. Denegar información no clasificada como reservada o que no sea confidencial. c. No proporcionar la información cuya entrega haya sido ordenada por un Oficial de Información. d. Proporcionar parcialmente o de manera ininteligible la información cuya entrega haya sido ordenada por el Instituto. e. Invocar como reservada información que no cumple con las características señaladas en esta ley. La responsabilidad solo existirá cuando haya una resolución previa respecto del criterio de clasificación de esa información. f. Proporcionar parcialmente o de manera ininteligible la información cuya entrega haya sido ordenada por el Oficial de Información. Son infracciones leves: a. Pedir justificación para la entrega de información. b. Elevar los costos de reproducción de la información sin justificación alguna. c. No proporcionar la información en el plazo fijado por esta ley. ARTICLE 77 Por la comisión de las infracciones señaladas en el artículo anterior, se impondrán al funcionario público con facultad para tomar decisiones dentro de las atribuciones de su cargo las siguientes sanciones: a. Por la comisión de infracciones muy graves, se impondrá al infractor una multa de veinte a cuarenta salarios mínimos mensuales para el sector comercio y servicios. La comisión de dos o más infracciones muy graves en el plazo de trescientos sesenta y cinco días, dará lugar, en función de los criterios de graduación del artículo siguiente, a la suspensión de funciones por el término de treinta días calendario ordenada por la autoridad superior correspondiente, salvo si la conducta es causal de destitución de acuerdo con el régimen del servicio aplicable. b. Por la comisión de infracciones graves, se impondrá al infractor una multa de diez a dieciocho salarios mínimos mensuales para el sector comercio y servicios. c. Por la comisión de infracciones leves, se impondrá al infractor una multa cuyo importe será de unohasta ocho salarios mínimos mensuales para el sector comercio y servicios. Todas las sanciones impuestas serán publicadas en los medios electrónicos del Instituto e incorporadas como anexos del informe anual. Art. 78. La cuantía de las multas que se impongan, dentro de los límites indicados, se graduará teniendo en cuenta lo siguiente: a. La existencia de intencionalidad o de reiteración en el hecho. b. La reincidencia, por comisión de infracciones de la misma naturaleza, sancionadas mediante resolución firme. c. La naturaleza y cuantía de los perjuicios causados por el infractor. d. La extensión del período durante el que se haya venido cometiendo la infracción. ARTICLE. 79. Las acciones para interponer denuncias por las infracciones a la presente ley prescribirán en el plazo de noventa días contados desde la fecha en que se hayan cometido. Las sanciones impuestas por el Instituto por dichas infracciones prescribirán en el término de tres años contados desde la fecha en que hubiere quedado firme la respectiva resolución. ARTICLE. 80. El Oficial de Información o el Instituto darán aviso al Fiscal General de la República, para los efectos legales pertinentes, cuando en los procedimientos	Art 76 -80 mentions sanctioning, but is vague on how these are applied.
Estonia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	54.1 Violation of requirements for disclosure and release of public information "(1) Knowing release of incorrect public information or knowing disclosure or release of information intended for internal use or failure to comply with a precept of the Data Protection Inspectorate is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units. (2) The provisions of the General Part of the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure apply to the misdemeanours provided for in this section. (3) The Data Protection Inspectorate is the extra-judicial body which conducts proceedings in matters of misdemeanours provided for in this section. [RT I 2003, 26, 158 - entry into force 01.10.2003]"
Ethiopia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	39(4) Any person who with intent to deny a right of access to information in terms of this section; a) destroys, damages or alters a record; b) conceals a record; c) falsifies a record or makes a false record; commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.	39(4) has sanctions for destroying documents.
Georgia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Article 49 â€“ Submission and publication of reports A public institution shall be obliged, on December 10 each year, to submit to the Parliament of Georgia, the President of Georgia and the Prime Minister of Georgia, and publish in the Legislative Herald of Georgia a report on: a) the number of applications submitted to a public institution for issuing public information and making amendments to public information, as well as the number of decisions on rejecting such applications; b) the number of decisions on granting or rejecting applications, the name of the public servant making the decisions, as well as the decisions on closing its own session by a collegial public institution; c) the public databases, and collecting, processing, storing and transferring the personal data by public institutions to others; d) the number of violations of the requirements of this Code by public servants, and imposing disciplinary fines on the responsible persons; e) the legislative acts used by a public institution as a basis for refusing to issue public information, or when closing the session of a collegial public institution; f) appealing decisions to refuse issuing public information; g) the costs, including the amounts paid in favour of a party, related to processing and issuing information by a public institution, as well as to appealing decisions to refuse to issue public information or to close the session of a collegial public institution.	No specific mention about the imposition of sanctions, but in article 49(d) regarding the annual report that a public agency must present, there is a mention about the "number of violations of this Code by public servants and the imposition of disciplinary penalties upon officials", so there must be some kind of system of imposition of sanctions, despite not being specifically established in the law.
Guinea	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	51 (of anti corruption law, Loi L/2017/041/AN du 04 Juillet 2017): La violation des règles de procédure par law loi portant droit d'access à l'information publique et par le Code des marchés est assimilée à la corruption et punie comme telle.	The anti-corruption law is availale at: http://www.itie-guinee.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Loi-anti-corruption.pdf. Since that was passed in 2017, not clear if it covers this new law.
Kyrgyzstan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	43. Persons guilty of violation of the obligation to provide information or other requirements of this Law shall be held liable in accordance with the legislation in the field of state civil and municipal service and the legislation on offenses. Law on Ombudsman, 13.2. In case of any obstacles to an investigation conducted by the Ombudsman (Akyikatchy) on the part of an official of a body of the state, or in case of a refusal or neglect to present a report required by the Ombudsman (Akyikatchy), as well as any acts or administrative documents required for purposes of the investigation, the Ombudsman (Akyikatchy) shall appeal to the Prosecutor General to take appropriate measures. Law on Guarantees, 11(2). Persons that infringed the right for information shall be liable in accordance with the law.	General disciplinary, administrative, civil and criminal liability for violating RTI but no specific rules. Number of provisions on liability for disclosing secret information in different laws. Specific rule about failing to cooperate with Ombudsman.
Moldova	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	24. Consequences of information-access violation Depending on the severity of the consequences caused by an illegal refusal, on the part of the public officer in charge, to provide official information and documents, to provide access to requested information, the court of law will impose sanctions in accordance with the current legislation, the reparation of the damage caused by an unjustified refusal to provide information, or by other actions violating the right to free access to information, as well the undelayed fulfillment of the applicant's request.	This provision is not very clear either as to its scope of application or what sort of punishment will ensue.
Morocco	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	27. La personne en charge visée à l'article 12 ci-dessus sera passible de poursuite disciplinaire, conformément aux textes législatifs en vigueur, s'il s'abstient de fournir les informations demandées conformément aux dispositions de la présente loi, sauf si sa bonne foi est prouvée. 28. Est considérée coupable de l'infraction de divulgation du secret professionnel aux termes de l'article 446 du Code pénal quiconque aura enfreint les dispositions de l'article 7 de la présente loi, sauf qualification plus sévère des faits. 29. Toute altération du contenu des informations obtenues ayant porté préjudice à l'institution ou l'organisme concerné ou utilisation ou réutilisation de ces informations ayant porté atteinte ou préjudice à l'intérêt général ou atteinte aux droits d'autrui en court pour la personne qui a obtenu ou utilisé lesdites informations, selon le cas, des sanctions prévues à l'article 360 du Code pénal.	Only applicable to information officer ("personne en charge") and only in accordance with existing rules; criminal penalities for wrongly disclosing information or for misuing information provided
Mozambique	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	ARTIGO 11 (Urgent Requests) 2. The official or agent responsible of ensuring the right to information or any other official or agent in charge of making the information available is disciplinary liable for the frustration of the pretension, if there is evidence that he acted negligently disclosing lately the information requested with urgency.	Disciplinary measure for late provision of information
Palau	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Section 10(c) Any person responsible for the failure to timely disclose a public record shall be jointly and severally personally liable in the form of a civil penalty in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first offense and one thousand dollars ($1,000) for all subsequent offenses. The civil penalty shall be assessed by a judge of the Palau Supreme Court in a successful action to enforce this Act. A violation of this Act shall not constitute a criminal offense and the assessment of the civil penalty shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based upon conviction of a criminal offense; (d) Any person who prevails against a governing body in any action in the Palau Supreme Court to enforce a violation of this Act shall be awarded all costs, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred in connection with such legal action; (e) Any governing body that prevails in defense of a civil action for a violation of this Act may be awarded reasonable expenses and attorney fees if the Palau Supreme Court also finds that the commencement of such civil action was frivolous and advanced without reasonable cause.	Sanctions are imposed but not for the destruction of information but yes to undermining the right. Unfortunately, costs are awarded both ways.
Philippines	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Section 15: Administrative Liability: Failure to comply with the provisions of this Order may be a ground for administrative and disciplinary sanctions against any erring public officer or employee as provided under existing laws or regulations.
Poland	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	23 Whoever, contrary to the obligation weighing on him, shall not make the public information available, is subject to fine, penalty of restricted liberty or penalty of deprivation of liberty for up to one year.	No mention about the destruction of documents
Russia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Article 8: (Rights of the Information User): The information user has the right: [...] (5) to demand, in accordance with the procedure defined by law, compensation for damage caused by violation of the right to access information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government. Article 23(2): (Protection of the Right to Access to Information on the Activities of Government Bodies and Bodies of Local Self-Government): If as a result of wrongful refusal in access to information on activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government, or its untimely granting, or granting of intentionally misleading information or information not corresponding to the content of the request, the information user was caused damages, such damages are subject to compensation according to the civil legislation of the Russian Federation. Article 25: (Liability for Violation of the Right to Access Information on the Activities of Government Bodies and Bodies of Local Self-Government): Officials of government bodies and bodies of local self-government and government and municipal employees, guilty of violation of the right access to information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government, bear disciplinary, administrative, civil and criminal liability according to the legislation of the Russian Federation.	There are sanctions for document destruction only for some specific information categories, e.g. for archive documents.
Rwanda	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	MINISTERIAL ORDER No. 005/07.01/13: Article 13: Unless proved for otherwise by a competent authority, no information officer shall be punished for failure to provide access to classified information or whose classification is in doubt. Penal Code, Article 590: Any person who has the obligation to provide information who: (1) delays to give information without good cause, (2) knowingly gives incorrect, incomplete or misleading information; shall be liable to a fine of one hundred thousand (100,000) to five hundred thousand (500,000) Rwandan francs. Article 591: Penalty for refusal to provide information or illegal withholding of Information: Any person who intentionally and without justification fails to provide information or illegally withholds information for the purpose of concealing this information, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of one (1) month but less than six (6) months and a fine of two hundred thousand (200, 000) to one million (1,000,000) Rwandan francs or one of these penalties.	These provisions seem to conflict, so 1 point awarded.
San Marino	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Regulation of 2 December 2015, No. 16, 11(2). 2. Non-fulfilment or partial fulfilment of the obligations of publication as well as non-compliance with the acts of guidance referred to in article 12 below, paragraphs 1 and 2, constitutes, in relation to the seriousness of the infringement, a violation of the duties of the manager or, in cases where the function of Head of Transparency has been delegated, of the person responsible for the publication and dissemination of information, sanctioned in accordance with the regulations in force. This infraction also constitutes an element of evaluation of the performance of the manager or the person responsible and a possible cause of liability for damage to the image of the Administration.	1 point awarded because the 2015 regulation allows for sanctions for non-fulfillment of organising and proactively publicising documents. However, these sanctions only cover proactive publication.
Taiwan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	23 Government employees shall be punished or reprimanded according to law and the severity of the offense if they violate the relevant provisions set forth in this Law when performing duty.	Art 23 - but the specifics are vague.
Thailand	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Section 40. Any person who fails to comply with an order of the Board issued under section 32 shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding five thousand Baht or to both	40 - Sanctions exist for disobeying orders of the Board, but not specifically for destroying documents or undermining RTI.
Trinidad and Tobago	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	42. (2) A person who willfully destroys or damages a record or document required to be maintained and preserved under subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of five thousand dollars and imprisonment for six months. (3) A person who knowingly destroys or damages a record or document which is required to be maintained and preserved under subsection (1) while a request for access to the record or document is pending commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars and imprisonment for two years.	42(2) and (3) penalize destruction of docs.
United States	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	Clause (a)(4)(F): Whenever the court orders the production of any agency records improperly withheld from the complainant and assesses against the United States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs, and the court additionally issues a written finding that the circumstances surrounding the withholding raise questions whether agency personnel acted arbitrarily or capriciously with respect to the withholding, the Special Counsel shall promptly initiate a proceeding to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for the withholding. The Special Counsel, after investigation and consideration of the evidence submitted, shall submit his findings and recommendations to the administrative authority of the agency concerned and shall send copies of the findings and recommendations to the officer or employee or his representative. The administrative authority shall take the corrective action that the Special Counsel recommends.
Uzbekistan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	16. Persons who are guilty for violation of legislation on principles of and guarantees for freedom of information shall be liable in accordance with the established procedure.	Very vague rule on this
Venezuela	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	Partially	1	14. El incumplimiento injustificado de las obligaciones previstas en esta Ley, genera responsabilidad disciplinaria, penal, civil y administrativa de conformidad con la Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela y la Ley. Constitution 51. Toda persona tiene el derecho de representar o dirigir peticiones ante cualquier autoridad, funcionario público o funcionaria pública sobre los asuntos que sean de la competencia de éstos o éstas, y de obtener oportuna y adecuada respuesta. Quienes violen este derecho serán sancionados o sancionadas conforme a la ley, pudiendo ser destituidos o destituidas del cargo respectivo.	Somewhat general/not very specific; doesn't clearly include destruction of documents.
Andorra	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	No sanctioning regime
Angola	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Australia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned
Austria	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	Not mentioned	N/A
Belgium	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	Art. 26.3. "Any contravention of this Act may be subject to sanctions under the administrative laws, criminal laws, laws on minor offences and under any other applicable legislation in force in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina."	It does not have a specific sanction system for the right of access to information.
Cape Verde	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	22-25	These provide for sanctions for illegitimate requests but nothing about obstruction of access.
Chile	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Czech Republic	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Denmark	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
East Timor	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Fiji	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
France	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Germany	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Greece	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Hungary	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Iceland	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Japan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Jordan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Kazakhstan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	20 Violation of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on access to information results in responsibility established by laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.	Sanctions provisions are far too vague to merit points.
Lebanon	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A
Liechtenstein	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned
Lithuania	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Luxembourg	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned
Monaco	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned
Montenegro	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0		Not mentioned.
New Zealand	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned
Norway	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0		Not mentioned.
Portugal	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Republic of Belarus	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	Article 27. Aims of protection of information Aims of protection of information shall be:  prevention of unauthorized access, destruction, modification (changing), copying, dissemination and (or) provision of information, of blocking of legitimate access to information, as well as of other wrongful actions. Article 30. Organizing protection of information Protection of information shall be organized: • with regard to publicly accessible information – by a person who disseminates and (or) provides such information; • with regard to information dissemination and (or) provision of which is restricted – by the owner or operator of the information system containing such information, or by the holder of information, if such information is not contained in the information systems; • by other persons in cases specified by this Law and other legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus. Article 41. Liability for violation of the legislation on information, informatization and protection of information Violation of the legislation on information, Informatization and protection of information entails liability in accordance with the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus.	Article 27 states that "Aims of protection of information" shall be prevention of unauthorized access, destruction, modification (changing), copying, dissemination and (or) provision of information, of blocking of legitimate access to information, as well as of other wrongful actions. 'Subjects of information relations' are obliged to prevent such activity. According to Article 41 sanctions are regulated outside of this law
Saudi Arabia	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
South Korea	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0
Spain	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A
Switzerland	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0		Not mentioned.
Tajikistan	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	14(3) and (3)(2) hint at this, but are vague.
Togo	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	Article 50 : (1) Sans préjudice des sanctions encourues en vertu d'autres dispositions légales ou réglementaires ; toute personne utilisant des informations en violation des dispositions de la présente loi ou des conditions d'utilisation prévues par une licence délivrée à cet effet ou en violation de l'obligation d'obtention d'une licence ; ou qui : - modifie, tronque ou détruit un document ou une information ; - falsifie ou établit un faux document ou fournit une fausse information est passible d'une amende de : trois cent mille (300 000) à un million (1 000 000) de francs CFA lorsque les informations ont été utilisées à des fins non commerciales ; cinq cent mille (500 000) à deux millions (2 000 000) de francs CFA lorsque les informations ont été utilisées à des fins commerciales. (2) En cas de récidive, les dispositions générales du code pénal en matière de récidive sont appliquées. (3) La juridiction saisie peut, en sus de l'amende, interdire à l'auteur d'une infraction l'utilisation des informations pendant une durée maximale de deux (02) ans. Cette durée peut être portée à cinq (05) ans en cas de récidive. (4) La juridiction saisie peut également ordonner la publication de la sanction aux frais de la personne auteur de l'infraction. Article 51 : Tout agent d'un organisme public qui met à la disposition d'un requérant une information confidentielle ou non communicable, commet une faute et est passible de sanctions administratives sans préjudice d'autres sanctions prévues par la législation en vigueur.	No sanctions for obstruction but instead for misuse of information or for wrongly disclosing information.
Zimbabwe	Sanctions may be imposed on those who wilfully act to undermine the right to information, including through the unauthorised destruction of information.	Score 1 point for sanctions for underming right, 1 point for destruction of documents	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned

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