In 2017, the inappropriate attitude of the Serbian Government and other public authorities towards the public’s right to know reached a climax, despite their obligation to promote the exercise of that right, said Serbian Commissioner for Information of Public Importance Rodoljub Sabic on the occasion of International Public’s Right to Know Day.
He said that Serbian Government failed to enforce Commissioner’s decisions and disclose information of public importance, even though it is obliged to do so. The institution of the Commissioner, he said, “is basically facing a financial blockade,” criticising the proposed amendments to the Law on Personal Data Protection, currently reviewed by the National Assembly.
“The Commissioner submitted a 25-page review of the proposed amendments, expressing his negative view. Virtually all relevant actors have done the same, including the European Commission,” Sabic said.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi described the access to information of public importance as one the fundamental EU values. This is confirmed, he said, by both the European Court of Human Rights and the Lisbon Treaty.
“As a candidate country, Serbia is obliged to protect the privacy of any individual, and to increase transparency of public administration,” Fabrizi noted.
OSCE Ambassador to Serbia Andrea Orizio said OSCE would provide technical assistance to Serbia in building a more transparent system of access to public information.
