Source: https://www.rti-rating.org/country-data/Tajikistan/
Timestamp: 2020-08-03 12:10:33
Document Index: 352333380

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art 6', 'Art 6', 'Art 6', 'Art 2', 'Art 2', 'Art 2', 'art 5']

Name of law: Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on The Right to Access to Information
2 Scope 8 30
4 Exceptions & refusal 16 30
5 Appeals 2 30
∑ = 49 ∑ = 150
1 The legal framework (including jurisprudence) recognises a fundamental right of access to information. Score 0 for no constitutional right to information, 1 point for a limited constitutional right, 2 points for full constitutional recognition of a public right of access to information. 2 NO 0 Not in the constitution.
2 The legal framework creates a specific presumption in favour of access to all information held by public authorities, subject only to limited exceptions. No=0, Partially=1, Yes=2 2 YES 2 Art 6(1)(f)
3 The legal framework contains a specific statement of principles calling for a broad interpretation of the RTI law. The legal framework emphasises the benefits of the right to information. One point for each characteristic. 2 YES 2 Art 6(1)(f) Art 6(1)
4 Everyone (including non-citizens and legal entities) has the right to file requests for information. Score 0 point if only residents/citizens; 1 point for all natural persons; 1 point for legal persons. 2 YES 2 4(1)(b) includes legal persons with no citizenship requirement
5 The right of access applies to all material held by or on behalf of public authorities which is recorded in any format, regardless of who produced it. Score 1-3 points if limited definition of information information such as not "internal documents" or databases excluded, 4 points for all information with no exceptions. 4 YES 4 Art 2 definition of documents and information is suitably broad.
6 Requesters have a right to access both information and records/documents (i.e. a right both to ask for information and to apply for specific documents). Score 1 point for only documents, 1 point for information. 2 YES 2 Art 2 definitions seem to imply this.
7 The right of access applies to the executive branch with no bodies or classes of information excluded.This includes executive (cabinet) and administration including all ministries, departments, local government, public schools, public health care bodies, the police, the armed forces, security services, and bodies owned or controlled by the above. Score 4 points for central government agencies covered: 1 for the head of state, 1 for ministries, 1 for other non-statutory agencies created by the ministries, 1 for state and local government if the government is unitary. If it´s a federalist system, 2 points for the non-statutory agencies. This can be determined by examining the length and thoroughness of the list, if such a schedule exists. Score 1 point for the archives. Add three points and deduct 1 for each exempted central agency (such as the armed forces, police, etc). 8 YES 0 This is very difficult to judge - the Art 2 definition includes all public authorities and local authorities - but given the vagueness of this language it is impossible to conclusively assign points here.
8 The right of access applies to the legislature, including both administrative and other information, with no bodies excluded. Score 1 point if the law only applies to administrative documents, 2-3 points if some bodies excluded, 4 points if all legislative branch at all levels of government 4 YES 0 N/A
9 The right of access applies to the judicial branch, including both administrative and other information, with no bodies excluded. Score 1 point if the law only applies to administrative documents, 2-3 points if some bodies excluded, 4 points if all judicial branch at all levels of government 4 YES 0 N/A
11 The right of access applies to other public authorities, including constitutional, statutory and oversight bodies (such as an election commission or information commission/er). Score 1 point if some bodies, 2 points if all 2 YES 0 N/A
13 Requesters are not required to provide reasons for their requests. Y/N answer 0 or 2 points 2 YES 2 10(1)(b)
14 Requesters are only required to provide the details necessary for identifying and delivering the information (i.e. some form of address for delivery). Score Max 2 points and deduct if requesters are required to give any of the following: ID number, telephone number, residential address, etc. 2 YES 2 12(2) - requirement for name, postal address, and a phone/fax/email contact for clarification
15 There are clear and relatively simple procedures for making requests. Requests may be submitted by any means of communication, with no requirement to use official forms or to state that the information is being requested under the access to information law. Max 2 points. Considerations include that there is no requirement to state that the request is under the RTI law, nor to use an official form, nor to identify the document being sought. 2 YES 2 7(5) allows requests to be made through any media.
16 Public officials are required to provide assistance to help requesters formulate their requests, or to contact and assist requesters where requests that have been made are vague, unduly broad or otherwise need clarification. Score 1 point for help in formulation and 1 point for clarification procedures 2 Partially 1 12(2) refers to clarification procedures.
18 Requesters are provided with a receipt or acknowledgement upon lodging a request within a reasonable timeframe, which should not exceed 5 working days. Score 1 point for receipt, 1 point for max 5 working days 2 YES 2 13(7) seems to imply this
19 Clear and appropriate procedures are in place for situations where the authority to which a request is directed does not have the requested information. This includes an obligation to inform the requester that the information is not held and to refer the requester to another institution or to transfer the request where the public authority knows where the information is held. Score: 1 point for information not held, 1 for referrals or 2 for transfers 2 Partially 1 13(2) - referrals, not transfers.
20 Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations 2 YES 2 7(4)
21 Public authorities are required to respond to requests as soon as possible. Score: No=0, Yes=2 points 2 YES 2 13(1)"Answer to a request for information is issued as soon as possible but not later than thirty calendar days after receiving the request."
22 There are clear and reasonable maximum timelines (20 working days or less) for responding to requests, regardless of the manner of satisfying the request (including through publication). Score: 1 point for timeframes of 20 working days (or 1 month, 30 days or 4 weeks). Score 2 points for 10 working days (or 15 days, or two weeks) or less. 2 Partially 1 13(1) "Answer to a request for information is issued as soon as possible but not later than thirty calendar days after receiving the request." 30 calendar days.
23 There are clear limits on timeline extensions (20 working days or less), including a requirement that requesters be notified and provided with the reasons for the extension. - 2 YES 2 13(1) - 15 days plus requirement for notice
24 It is free to file requests. Score: No=0, Yes=2 points 2 NO 0 No mention of fees, but in the absence of any enumeration on the subject this review cannot assume that all requesting procedures are free.
25 There are clear rules relating to access fees, which are set centrally, rather than being determined by individual public authorities. These include a requirement that fees be limited to the cost of reproducing and sending the information (so that inspection of documents and electronic copies are free) and that a certain initial number of pages (at least 20) are provided for free. Score 1 point for fees being limited to reproduction and delivery costs and set centrally, 1 point for at least 20 pages free of charge or for fees being optional 2 NO 0 N/A
26 There are fee waivers for impecunious requesters. - 2 NO 0 N/A
28 The standards in the RTI Law trump restrictions on information disclosure (secrecy provisions) in other legislation to the extent of any conflict. Score 4 points for a resounding "yes" and 1/2/3 points if only for some classes of information or for some exceptions. If the state secrets law is not trumped by the RTI law max score is 2 points. 4 NO 0 No - art 5(1) references the state secrets law and other laws, reinforced by 14(d).
29 The exceptions to the right of access are consistent with international standards. Permissible exceptions are: national security; international relations; public health and safety; the prevention, investigation and prosecution of legal wrongs; privacy; legitimate commercial and other economic interests; management of the economy; fair administration of justice and legal advice privilege; conservation of the environment; and legitimate policy making and other operations of public authorities. Score 10 points and then deduct 1 point for each exception which either (a) falls outside of this list and/or (b) is more broadly framed 10 Partially 9 14(1)(a) - state or official secrets - too broad.
30 A harm test applies to all exceptions, so that it is only where disclosure poses a risk of actual harm to a protected interest that it may be refused. Score 4 points and then deduct 1 point for each exception which is not subject to the harm test 4 Partially 2 14(1)(c) the implementation in accordance with the law of search operations and investigative activities. 14(2) memoranda, correspondence, assignments of officials and other information in-house nature.
31 There is a mandatory public interest override so that information must be disclosed where this is in the overall public interest, even if this may harm a protected interest. There are ‘hard’ overrides (which apply absolutely), for example for information about human rights, corruption or crimes against humanity. Consider whether the override is subject to overarching limitations, whether it applies to only some exceptions, and whether it is mandatory. 4 Partially 3 5(2)(d) seems to say that, where info concerns rights or freedoms, the exceptions don't apply. This is reinforced by 7(2), however it's not quite broad enough to warrant 4 points, since it mentions specific rights to protect rather than anything that's in the public interest to know.
34 There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted 2 YES 2 14(1)(d)
35 When refusing to provide access to information, public authorities must a) state the exact legal grounds and reason(s) for the refusal and b) inform the applicant of the relevant appeals procedures. Score Y/N: 1 point for a and 1 point for b 2 NO 0 N/A
36 The law offers an internal appeal which is simple, free of charge and completed within clear timelines (20 working days or less). Score 2 points if the internal appeal fulfills these criteria, 1 point if an appeal is offered that does not fulfill this criteria, 0 for no internal appeals. 2 NO 0 14(3) allows for appeals - but provides no guidance on how they function.
44 Requesters have the right to lodge a judicial appeal. 1 for partially, 2 for fully. 2 YES 2 14(3)
50 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.
54 Public authorities are required to appoint officials (information officers) or units with dedicated responsibilities for ensuring that they comply with their information disclosure obligations. Score Y/N, Y=2 points 2 NO 0 N/A
57 A system is in place whereby minimum standards regarding the management of records are set and applied. Score Y/N, Y=2 points 2 Partially 1 11(1)(b) - though this is somewhat vague
58 Public authorities are required to create and update lists or registers of the documents in their possession, and to make these public. Score Y/N, Y=2 points 2 Partially 1 11(3) seems to mandate this, but not for all documents.