[foianet]Pending the Russian FOI Law in 2009

Image by World Economic Forum via FlickrSent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: [foianet]Pending the Russian FOI Law in 2009

Hello to everyone!

It's really looks like in 2009 year Russia will have Freedom of Information Law as last!
On January 21, 2009 the State Duma (lower chamber of the Russian Parliament) adopted in a final third reading access to information bill in the framework of anti-corruption russian program. Bill on Providing of Access to Information on State Authorities and Local Governments Activity (Access to Information Bill or Freedom of Information Bill) will provide citizen's right to know through the duty of federal, regional and municipal officials to disclose any information (except classified information) upon citizen's request and also by publication information on State and Local Authorities activity in mass media and via Internet.
The FOI Law will require officials to respond citizen's request for information within 30 days and will give some other ways for access to information such as informational stands in the federal, regional and municipal authorities' buildings, libraries, archives and federal, regional and municipal authorities meetings where citizens will able to be. The Law will take into effect on January 1, 2010 if President Dmitry Medvedev will sign the Law.
Indeed that will be the huge event for Russia!

Marina Savintseva
Lawyer,
TR-Russia, Moscow