The Right of Access to Information in Cyprus Project

The 10 Principles for an Open Cyprus embody the international standards on access to information. These principles have been developed in consultation with international experts and are drawn from comparative analysis of European access to information laws and from the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents.

1. Everyone has a right, without discrimination, to access information held by public bodies.
2. Filing requests should be simple and free. Requests can be sent by post, e-mail or fax, delivered in person, or questions asked verbally.
3. There is no need to justify why information is needed nor what will be done with it.
4. Public officials should have the obligation to help requestors prepare the request oridentify the public body to send it to.
5. Responses should be fast, within a maximum 15 working day time frame.
6. Information can be accessed in paper copy or electronically, and originals can be viewed.
7. Viewing originals is always free of charge.The only charges can be for photocopying or copying material onto a CD or DVD orother format.
8. In principle all information is accessible,subject to limited exceptions. Refusals should be justified according to the exceptions.
9. Everyone should have the right of appeal against refusals or against administrative silence to an independent body and to the court.
10. Public bodies should make available automatically the main information about their structure, functions, budget, andactivities.

* Based on the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (2009).