OSCE Presence in Albania launches project on access to information

TIRANA, 3 October 2006 - A project aimed at helping Albanians be more aware of their rights to access information was launched today by the OSCE Presence in Albania and the People's Advocate (Ombudsman).

Under the "Know Your Rights" project, funded by the Presence and the French Government, excerpts from or summaries of Albanian legislation will be displayed on state institution buildings and other visible places throughout the country.

So far, over 150 billboards have been posted in the regions of Shkodra, Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Kukës, Fier, Korça, Vlora and Gjirokastra. They inform the public about their rights to obtain official documents and information on environmental matters, as well as of the rights of a detained person. In addition, booklets containing longer excerpts or full texts of relevant laws have been produced.

"The 'Know Your Rights' project aims at increasing the transparency of state institutions and fostering the implementation of the laws in force," said Ambassador Pavel Vacek, Head of the OSCE Presence. "It further aims at raising the individual citizens' awareness of their rights to seek information and improving their ability to obtain it."

According to the People's Advocate, Ermir Dobjani, informing citizens on their right to access official documents remains one of the main priorities of his office, as part of his endeavours to promote rule of law and good governance in Albania. "This is why this project has been initiated under the aegis of the People's Advocate," he said.

The project is being carried out in co-operation with the Ministries of Interior, of Justice, of Environment, as well as the Ministries of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Health. Additional supporting partners were the Office of the Prosecutor General, the High Council of Justice and regional councils and municipalities.

The OSCE Presence is ready to provide further assistance to the Albanian institutions to further the implementation of the current legislation on access to information.