Sierra Leone - Comments on the Right to Access

Comments Right to information laws normally address seven main issues: the scope of the guarantee of the right; rules on proactive disclosure of information; provisions on the processing of requests; the regime of exceptions; appeals, including the oversight body; sanctions and protections; and promotional measures. [...] The primary responsibility regarding the provision of assistance should lie with the public authority, while this could be listed as one of the specific duties of the public information officer. [...] It is suggested that more detail be provided as to the circumstances in which a preferred form may be rejected, such as harm to the record or the unreasonable diversion of the resources of the public authority. [...] Consideration should be given to narrowing the exception in favour of the economical or financial interests of Sierra Leone to protect only the ability of the government to manage the economy. [...] Section 37 calls on the government to bring the Official Secrets Act, the Public Order Act, other laws, and internal rules and general orders affecting the disclosure of information into line with the provisions and spirit of the right to information law.