Core Program |Objective Three  :

Building the Capacity of Public Sector Institutions

in Providing Information to the Public

Funded by the Netherlands and Norwegian Governments

It is worthy to note that AMAN had conducted current systems research reviews regarding access to information to the public carried out by public institutions in order to identify the needs and gaps for implementing the principle of the right to access to information; the studies covered the following institutions:

 Palestinian Legislative Council:

This research study aimed at diagnosing the capability and commitment of the PLC in providing general objective information about its activities to the public and the recommendations and suggestions for development.

Palestinian Judiciary System:

This research study aimed at finding procedures adopted by the courts which ensure the  flow of general information to the public; the means and mechanisms  used to provide access to information related to the  courts’ functions;  and the extent of court officials in providing information on the management and structure of public information within the judicial system in general, and the court system  in particular.  It also aimed to measure the extent the officials’ commitment to the citizen’s right of access to the public files As well as his/her right to be informed of court decisions.

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics:

This research study aimed at measuring the commitment of the PCBS, as a formal institution, to the right of access to information and the mechanisms of enforcing this right through reviewing the Bureau’s legal framework, its administrative and functional structure regarding the right of access to information, and reviewing the Bureau’s publications. It also examined the feasibility of arrangements to hold meetings with officials for the purpose of clarifying issues related to this right, and official policies regarding published information and its availability to the public.   

Ministry of Finance:

This research study aimed at measuring the commitment of the Ministry of Finance to enforcing the right of the public having access to information relating to transparency of the management of the financial system; procedures for  performing its tasks such as management of the PA public funds; methods of expenditures; mechanisms  of distribution; and other issues related to the financial and administrative aspects practiced by the Ministry.

 Work is currently being done on finalizing two additional studies on the official Gazette (Al-Waqae’) and the national archive system.

Funded by the Netherlands and Norwegian Governments

Securing the citizens’ right to access to information in an adequate and a documented form with minimum restrictions is one of the most important characteristics of any democratic system. It gives power to the public to hold officials accountable, and enhances their involvement in promoting the values of integrity, accountability and transparency, since transparency means lack of ambiguity in the work and relationships of the institution with the public.  Furthermore, providing clarity of procedures, goals and objectives to the public means the existence of open communication channels between the interested parties and the officials, and it allows the public access to information. The more access to information to the public, the higher the transparency indicator at work becomes. Moreover, it is impossible to have accountability without being informed, since accountability requires information flow to the public to assist people to know the facts, discover violations and mistakes hence hold officials  accountable.