The purpose of this Model Law is to create legal conditions for the realization of the right of every citizen to freely search for and receive information and to ensure information transparency of the activities of government bodies, other government bodies and organizations, and local government bodies. The right of access to information is the right of every citizen to freely search for information and receive it from government agencies and organizations, other agencies and organizations vested with powers by the state, local government bodies, their officials who have this information on legal grounds. Access to information necessary to satisfy and protect the rights and legitimate interests of persons who have applied for this information may not be restricted unless it is classified by legislation on state secrets and other regulatory legal acts governing relations in the field of protecting state secrets as information with restricted access. Basic principles of ensuring the right of access to information are: (a) availability and openness of information; (b) reliability and completeness of information; (c) timeliness of provision of information; (d) protection of the right of access to information, including through judicial proceedings; (e) liability for violation of the right of access to information; (f) compliance with the rights and legitimate interests of third-party entities when providing information; and (g) establishment of restrictions on the right of access to information by law and only to the extent that this is necessary to protect the foundations of the constitutional order, ensure the defense of the country and the security of the state, the authority and impartiality of justice, morality, health, rights and legitimate interests of natural persons and legal entities. The procedure for establishing a regime of limited access to information is determined by law and the regulatory rules adopted in accordance with it. Bodies and organizations maintain registers of official documents, which they are obliged to make publicly available and provide upon request. A fee may be charged for providing information, not exceeding the cost of services related to its provision.
2004-04-17