Gambia’s CSO submits draft Freedom of Information Bill to gov’t
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Gambia Civil Society Coalition on Freedom of Information Wednesday submitted Freedom of Information Bill to the country’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice Abubacarr Tambadou at his office here.
The drafting was financed by the United Nations Democracy Fund through a two-year project being implemented by the Gambia Press Union.
The draft Bill is part of the CSO’s contribution of civil society in complementing the government’s efforts towards an inclusive and citizens-led process of putting in place legislative guarantees for the exercise and enjoyment of the right to information.
The Chairman of the Coalition, John Charles Njie, described the draft FOI Bill as opening the democratic space and its engagement by civil society on issues of national interest.
“The civil society and the government cannot operate in isolation of one another. We value our cordial relationship and are seeking your support to promote and ensure collective ownership of the Bill,” he said.
Njie disclosed that the Bill had been shared with local and international partners as well as experts for comments.
This is to ensure that the law that would be promulgated meets international standards while reflecting local realities.
Tambadou welcomed the move by the Coalition to contribute to the process of developing policy around issues of freedom of information.
He added: “The government is committed to creating a transparent, pluralistic and democratic society. You can only have that when people have right of access to information. So, we will work together so that, hopefully, we present something before the National Assembly by the end of this year.”
-0- PANA MSS/RA 26June2019
