Source: Bllic
The recently published Council of Europe (CE) estimates of Serbia's progress in the process of democratization reminded me of the annual Report on Implementation of the Law on Free Accesses to Information of Public Importance that I have recently forwarded to the National Assembly. It is in possession of MPs. Others who are interested can find it on Web site www.poverenik.org.rs under the column ‘'Documents''. It is a criticism in accordance with the current situation. It contains some indicators of progress, and all statistics concerning compliance with obligations is somewhat better than last year. But I do not think it gives way to special satisfaction. Relative progress is normal, expected, and there are more reasons to be worried then those which speak of progress.
In the context of progress, the greatest media attention was bestowed on the attitude of Intelligence and Security Agency (BIA) to its legal obligations. For a long time BIA has ignored the law, civil rights and its obligations. In my previous annual report I expressed my concerns that it is unacceptable for anyone to put him or her self above the law. I continued to insist on that even in contacts with the new BIA management. In 2008 BIA improved its attitude considerably towards acting upon requests, following legal procedures, complying with obligations etc. Its progress is noteworthy. BIA is one of public bodies, but not any public body. A change in its attitude is extremely significant and deserves media attention.
Yet, another phenomenon has undeservedly been left out of public attention. None of the media remarked that 650 public authorities' annual reports forwarded to the Commissioner indicate that in 2008 about 56.000 requests for information were submitted to various public authorities. This is 6 times more than in 2007 and almost 10 times more than in 2006. Of course, the information is not absolutely accurate (a great number of bodies have not even submitted their reports), but it is comparable. It indicates an increase of consciousness concerning right to free access to information and a growing readiness to use it rightfully. In doing that they are contributing to democratization of the society and in the context of progress this is the most valuable information.
