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The Cook Islands being the first Pacific Islands to pass its Freedom of Information - Official Information (OI) law in parliament recently has been commended by the Pacific Islands Forun Secretariat (PIFS).
According to Acting Secretary Secretary General of PIFS Feleti Teo, the organisation "commends the Government of the Cook Islands for taking the lead in the region in passing legislation to enshrine this essential democratic right".
He added, "the Pacific Plan recognises freedom of information as a key milestone under the Good Governance pillar of the Plan. The right to information is a key mechanism for promoting transparent and accountable governance, and participatory development. With a right to access government information, the people of the Pacific can more effectively engage with their government".
The Cook Islands OI Act will come into force on 11th February 2009, a year after its enactment.
The 12 months gap will allow Government ministries and departments and officials to get their records in order and develop systems and processes to facilitate easy access to information.
PIFS Regional Governance Adviser Dr Henry Ivarature says that the Cook Islands Parliament passing of the OI law is a great step forward for the Pacific and joins the growing group of nations recognising the right of their people to access information that will enable them to more effectively participate in their own governance and development.
He also said: "PIFS will continue to support other PIC Governments to move forward in developing information disclosure policies or legislation".
The Cook Islands joins more than 70 countries who have passed FOI laws.
In the region New Zealand and Australia passed FOI laws more than 25 years ago.
Source: Govmedia |
