CUESTIONARIO DE LEGISLACIÓN Y MEJORES PRÁCTICAS SOBRE ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN PÚBLICA

[AG/RES. 2288 (XXXVII-O/07), AG/RES. 2418 (XXXVIII-O/08), AG/RES. 2514 (XXXIX-O/09) y AG/RES. 2607 (XL-O/10)]

Conforme a lo acordado en la reunión ordinaria de la Comisión de Asuntos Jurídicos y Políticos (CAJP) del 9 de septiembre de 2010 y en cumplimiento de las resoluciones AG/RES. 2288 (XXXVII-O/07), AG/RES. 2418 (XXXVIII-O/08), AG/RES. 2514 (XXXIX-O/09) y AG/RES. 2607 (XL-O/10), sírvase encontrar las respuestas de los Estados Miembros al Cuestionario: Legislación y mejores prácticas sobre acceso a la información pública (CP/CAJP-2548/07 rev.1). El cuestionario fue distribuido originalmente en noviembre de 2007 y en su momento se recibieron respuestas de los siguientes Estados Miembros: Argentina, Chile, Colombia y Perú. Se hizo un resumen de tales respuestas y se presentó a la CAJP en el Informe sobre el Cuestionario de legislación y mejores prácticas sobre acceso a la información pública (CP/CAJP-2608/08) el 24 de abril de 2008. Posteriormente, la Asamblea General encomendó a la CAJP, mediante la resolución AG/RES. 2514 (XXXIX-O/09), que actualice el Informe sobre el Cuestionario de legislación y mejores prácticas sobre acceso a la información pública (CP/CAJP-2608/08), solicitando para ello las contribuciones de los Estados Miembros, la Relatoría Especial para la Libertad de Expresión de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH), el Comité Jurídico Interamericano (CJI), el Departamento de Derecho Internacional, el Departamento de Modernización del Estado y Gobernabilidad de la Secretaría de Asuntos Políticos, las entidades y organismos interesados y los representantes de la sociedad civil.

La Comisión de Asuntos Jurídicos y Políticos circuló el cuestionario nuevamente mediante el documento CP/CAJP-2906/10, del día 28 septiembre 2010. Los Estados de Canadá, El Salvador, Panamá, Republica Dominicana, contestaron el cuestionario. Sus respuestas se adjuntan a continuación.

CANADA

CANADA

RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE: LEGISLATION AND BEST PRACTICES OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

Name of member state: Canada

Name of person replying to the questionnaire: Denis Kratchanov Title/position: Director, General Counsel Agency/organization: Information Law and Privacy Section

Department of Justice

Mailing address: 284 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0H8

Telephone number: 613-957-4624 E-mail address: denis.kratchanov@justice.gc.ca Web page of agency/ organization: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/index.html

Note: The following information reflects the state of the law applicable to the federal government. Laws of a similar nature exist in all provinces and territories and regulate the activities of provincial and territorial governments in like fashion.

II. PART ONE: ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION 1. Does your country’s domestic legal system include general and/or specific provisions governing the right of access to public information and mechanisms for their enforcement? If so, please describe them briefly and attach copies of the provisions and the documents containing them. The Right of Access In 1983, the Parliament of Canada enacted the federal legislation Access to Information Act1 (“ATIA”) and the Privacy Act2 (“PA”).

ATIA The purpose of the ATIA is “to provide a right of access to information in records under the control of a government institution in accordance with the principles that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.”3 Section 4 of the ATIA provides a right of access to any record under the control of a government institution.4

PA The PA provides individuals with a right of access to their own personal information about themselves held by a government institution.5 Other All Canadians provinces and territories have enacted legislation pertaining to the right of access to documents under their respective legislation. Mechanisms for Enforcement Please refer to responses in questions 5 and 6 of II. Part One for a discussion on mechanism for enforcement. 2. Does your country’s domestic legal system include norms and mechanisms governing and promoting government transparency and accountability? If so, please describe them briefly and attach copies of the provisions and the documents containing them.

1 R.S. 1985, c. A-1 [“ATIA”]. Refer to Annex A for a copy of the ATIA. See also Regulations Respecting Access to Information, SOR/83-507 [Regulation] Refer to Annex B for a copy of the Regulation. 2 R.S. 1985, c. P-21 [“PA”]. Refer to Annex C for a copy of the PA. 3 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 2. 4 Ibid. 5 PA, supra note 2, s. 12.

In addition to the right of access to information and personal information under the ATIA and the PA, Canada’s legal system includes other legal principles and norms governing and promoting transparency and accountability. It was recently recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada that section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Right and Freedom6 (“Charter”), which guarantees a constitutional right to freedom of expression, includes a derivative right of access which may arise where it is a necessary precondition of meaningful expression on the functioning of government.7 In other words, section 2(b) of the Charter may be engaged where a claimant establishes that, without the desired access, meaningful public discussion and criticism on matters of public interest would be substantially impeded, subject to countervailing considerations inconsistent with access, such as solicitor-client privilege and other established privileges. In addition, the open court principle which was also found to be connected to section 2(b) of the Charter, the constitutional right of freedom of expression, allows for public access to information about the judiciary, which subsequently allows public discussion and access to information.8 Furthermore, the Government of Canada has implemented measures that enhance transparency and oversight of government resources. These include the proactive disclosure on the internet of information relating to travel and hospitality expenses of senior government officials, contracts over $10,000, information concerning the reclassification of occupied positions in the Public Service of Canada and the award of grants and contributions over $25,000.9 3. If no general procedures are in place in your country to obtain access to public information, please briefly indicate how your country ensures and promotes access to public information, transparency, and accountability in its domestic legal system and in your country’s government. Please refer to responses in questions 1 and 2 of II. Part One. 4. What obligations does your legislation contain to ensure that public officials provide the public information requested by citizens?

6 Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (U.K.), 1982, c.11, s. 2(b) [Charter]. See Annex D for a copy of the Charter. 7 Ontario (Public Safety and Security) v. Criminal Lawyers’ Association, 2010 SCC 23. 8 Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. New Brunswick (Attorney General), [1996] 3 S.C.R. 480 at para. 23 [CBC]. 9 Treasury Board of Canada, Proactive Disclosure (Ottawa: 2006) < http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pd-dp/index-eng.asp>.

In order to ensure that public officials provide public information requested under the ATIA, the government institution is required to:

provide a right of access to records in accordance with the principles that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific;10

process the request without regard to the identity of the requester;11 make every reasonable effort to assist the requester;12 respond to the request accurately and completely;13 and provide timely access to the record in the format requested, subject to the

regulations;14 subject to certain legislative exceptions, give written notice, within thirty days of

receiving the request, to the requester as to whether or not access to the record or a part thereof will be given and if access is to be given, give the requester access to the records or part thereof;15

produce any record requested that does not exist, but can be produced from a

machine readable record under the control of a government using tools and expertise normally used by the government institution;16

give the requester an opportunity to examine the record, and if the requester

chooses to examine the record, provide an appropriate location within the government institution to examine the records or part thereof;17 and

give a copy of the requested record, where access to a record or part thereof is to

be given, in the format and official language requested, where appropriate.18 5. What types of administrative and/or legal remedies do citizens in your country have if they are denied access to public information?

ATIA and PA

10 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 2.(1). 11 Ibid., s. 4.(2.1). 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 15 Ibid., s. 7. 16 Ibid., s.4.(3). Regulation, supra note 1, s.3. 17 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 12.(1). Regulation, ibid, s. 8.(3). 18 ATIA, ibid., s. 12.(2), 12.(3).

The ATIA and the PA provide for a right to complain, by writing, to the Information Commissioner (IC) and the Privacy Commissioner (PC), respectively, if the right to access to information or personal information has been denied.19 The IC and PC may receive and investigate complaints from individuals who have been refused access to information requested and may report their findings to the institution who refused access, if the IC and PC finds that a complaint is well-founded.20 The IC and the PC’s role are to represent the interest of the public, to act as an advocate of the rights of access requesters, and to investigate complaints.21 The IC and PC’s mission is to resolve the conflict in an informal manner and does not act as counsel for the complainant or the government institution.22 Their duties are “to examine both sides of the dispute, assess the harm that has been done and recommend ways of remedying it.” 23 Subsequently, where access is not given following the IC and the PC’s investigation of a complaint relating to a refusal to give access to information, the complainant has the right to apply to the Federal Court of Canada for a review of the matter.24 In such Court reviews the Government bears the burden of establishing that it is authorized to refuse to disclose a record requested under the ATIA or the PA and if the Government fails to meet that burden, the Court may issue any order it deems appropriate, including an order to disclose the requested record. 6. What types of legal sanctions are in place in your country to sanction public officials who prevent, delay, or obstruct access to public documents? Are procedures and/or mechanisms also in place for the effective imposition of said sanctions?

ATIA The ATIA provides for the offence of obstructing the right of access, which includes an offence of obstructing the IC, or any person acting on behalf or under her direction, in the performance of her duties and functions under the ATIA.25 A person found guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.26 In addition, the ATIA also provides for the offence of destroying, mutilating, altering falsifying, making a false record, concealing or directing or proposing any person in any manner to do so when such action is done with the intent to deny a right of access under the ATIA.27 A person found guilty of this offence is liable on indictable offence and liable to imprisonment of a term not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding

19 Ibid., s. 30-31. PA, supra note 2, s. 29-30. 20 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 30-31. PA, ibid., s. 29. Lavigne v. Canada (Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages), 2002 SCC 53 at para. 34 [Lavigne]. 21 H.J. Heinz Co. of Canada Ltd. v. Canada, 2006 SCC 13 at paras. 38-39 [Heinz]. 22 Lavigne, supra note 20 at paras. 38-39. In Heinz, ibid, the Supreme Court of Canada stated that the Information Commissioner and the Privacy Commissioner have essentially the same role and duties. 23 Lavigne, ibid. at para. 39. 24 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 41. PA, supra note 2, s. 41. 25 ATIA, ibid., s. 67(1). 26 Ibid., s. 67(2). 27 Ibid., s. 67.1(1).

$10,000 or both, or is liable on summary conviction and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to both.28 PA The PA also includes an offence of obstructing the PC, or any person acting on her behalf or under her direction, in the performance of her duties and functions which if found guilty, is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.29 In order to proceed to a conviction under the ATIA and the PA, the IC or the PC may disclose to the Attorney General of Canada (“AGC”) information relating to the commission of an offence against a law of Canada or a province.30 III. PART TWO: BEST PRACTICES 1. What methods, strategies, plans, programs, and/or policies does the government use to promote active exercise by the citizenry of the right of access to public information? What evaluation methods and fulfillment indicators does the government use to measure the impact of said plans, programs, and/or policies on dissemination to, and awareness and exercise of this right by the citizenry? Please describe them. Under the ATIA, a government institution is required to publish, once a year at the minimum, a publication containing a description of all institutions subject to the Act and their responsibilities, a description of all classes of records in sufficient details, and a description of all manuals used by employees of these institutions as well as the title and address of the officer within each institution to whom a request for access should be sent.31 This publication, entitled “Info Source, Sources of Federal Government Information”, must also be kept up to date by publishing a bulletin at least twice a year.32 These requirements promote the principle that every individual is entitled to a reasonable access to information and to facilitate the exercise of this right. Also, under the PA, a government institution is required to publish, at least once a year, an index of all personal information banks and all classes of personal information that are not contained in a personal information bank.33 Personal information banks include all personal information under the control of the government institution which has been used or is being used for an administrative purpose or is organized or retrievable by the name of the individual or an identifying symbol assigned to a particular individual.34 Personal

28 Ibid., s. 67.1(2). 29 Ibid., s. 68. 30 Ibid., s. 63.(2). PA, supra note 2, s. 64(2). 31 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 6. The publication is entitled “Info Source: Sources of Federal Government Information”. 32 Ibid. 33 PA, supra note 2, s. 11. 34 Ibid., s. 10(1), s. 11.

information banks provide a statement of the government institutions’ uses and purposes. This information is also published in “Info Source, Sources of Federal Government Information”. This information is made available to every individual to promote the principle that every individual is entitled to a reasonable access to their own personal information under the control of the government and the principles of openness and accessibility to information. In addition, every government institution is required to submit at the end of each financial year to the Parliament of Canada an annual report on the administration of the ATIA and the PA.35 This obligation outlines the government institutions’ performances in relation to both Acts. The IC and PC are also required to submit an annual report to the Parliament of Canada on the activities of their offices during the fiscal year.36 This annual report may include summaries and highlights of audits or investigations conducted, as well as overviews of initiatives and future challenges. Furthermore, the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada37 issued by Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat38 (TB) provides direction to “ensure that communications across the Government of Canada are well co-ordinated, effectively managed and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public”39. In general terms, it is the Government of Canada’s policy to:

provide the public with timely, accurate, clear information about its

policies, programs, services and initiatives in both official languages, English and French, and in multiple formats to accommodate diverse needs;

ensure the visibility, accessibility and accountability of government institutions;

identify and address communication needs and issues; communicate openly with the public and listen to and consider people’s

interests and concerns when establishing priorities, developing policies and planning programs;

provide information services in a non-partisan and democratic way; and work collaboratively with all government institutions to achieve coherent

and effective communications with the public.40

The TB is responsible to monitor and evaluate institutions’ implementation of this policy and effectiveness in meeting its objectives.41 It monitors compliance by conducting an

35 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 72. PA, supra note 2, s. 72. 36 ATIA, ibid., s. 38. PA, ibid., s. 38. 37 Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Communications Policy of the Government of Canada (Ottawa: 2006) [Policy]. 38 The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is responsible for accountability and ethics, financial, personnel and administrative management, comptrollership, approving regulations and most Orders-in-Council. 39 Policy, supra note 37. 40 Ibid. 41 Ibid.

environmental scan, monitoring information requests and correspondence, as well as evaluating communication plans, strategies, and audits. 2. What methods, strategies, plans, programs, and/or policies does the government use to disseminate and enforce the obligation to respect the citizenry’s right of access to public information? What evaluation methods are used to measure the impact of said plans, programs, and/or policies on the dissemination to and fulfillment of this obligation in government? Please describe them. Please refer to responses in question 5 and 6 of II. Part One and response in question 1 of III. Part Two. 3. What types of requirements exist and/or procedures are required in your country to request public information from a government agency? Please also describe, where applicable:

a. Differences in formalities and/or procedures depending on the type of information requested.

b. Differences in formalities and/or procedures depending on the governmental area to which the request is made.

c. Extent of understanding and of use of and complaint against such formalities and/or procedures by citizens requesting public information.

In order to make a formal access to information request under the ATIA, an individual must be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident or any person or corporation present in Canada.42 The request for information must be in writing to the government institution that has control of the record. It may be requested by completing a Government of Canada “Access to Information Request Form”43 or by a written request mentioning the ATIA. The individual must provide sufficient detail to enable an experienced employee of the institution with a reasonable effort to identify the record44 and must forward the request to the Coordinator of the government institution holding the information. A five dollar fee is applicable for a formal access to information request.

a. There are no different procedures for requesting various types of public information. However, there is a difference in procedure when a formal request for personal information under the PA is made compared with a formal request for public information under the ATIA. A formal request for personal information under the PA may be made by completing the Government of Canada “Personal Information Request Form”45 or by a written request mentioning the PA. In contrast with the ATIA, there are no applicable fees to make a formal access request for personal information

42 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 4. 43 Refer to Annex E for a copy. 44 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 6. 45 Refer to Annex F for a copy.

b. There are no differences in formalities and/or procedures depending on the

governmental area to which the formal request is made. c. The IC is responsible to receive the complaints of individuals who believe their

rights under the ATIA have not been respected by government institutions. While the IC does not have the power to order the disclosure of records to a requester, she can mediate disputes between a requester and a government institution and if need be, go to Court on behalf of the requester to obtain an order to disclose a record. The OIC investigates complaints about government institutions and their processing of access requests. In 2009-2010, the OIC registered a total of 1653 complaints initiated by the public and a total of 36 complaints were initiated by the OIC.46 Forty-seven per cent of these complaints received in 2009-2010 were administrative complaints. These include complaints based on extensions taken by government institutions, delays in providing access to information within the time limit established in the ATIA, unreasonable application of the fees charged and other miscellaneous complaints.47

4. What practices, instruction manuals, and procedures do governmental areas and public officials of your country use to ensure the effectiveness of requests for public information made by citizens? Please include information pertaining to:

a. Public offices legally obliged to provide information; b. Types of public information not classified or confidential; c. Times or periods for providing information requested; d. Forms in which the requested information is provided.

As described in the response in question 1 of III. Part Two, a government institution annually publishes “Info Source, Sources of Federal Government Information”. This publication contains a description of the institution and its responsibilities, and a description of all classes of records and manuals used by the institutions employees as well as an index of all personal information banks and all classes of personal information that are contained in the personal information banks. This practice is mandatory under the ATIA and the PA. It ensures the effectiveness of requests for public information made by the public as it facilitates the right to access to information. In addition, as described in question 2 of Part II, the Government of Canada has committed to proactively disclosing financial and human resources related information on departmental web sites.

46 Information Commissioner of Canada, Annual Report 2009-2010 Achieving Results. Building for Success (Ottawa: 2010) at p. 8 <http://www.infocom.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr_ar-ra.aspx>. 47 Ibid. at p. 5, 19.

Furthermore, the TB publishes policies, directives and guidance and tools which assist and are used by government institutions in the administration of the ATIA and the PA and to ensure the effectiveness of requests for public information.48

a. Under the ATIA and the PA, government institutions are required to provide information, subject to certain legislative exemptions and exclusions. Please refer to question 1, 5 and 6 of II. Part One.

b. The ATIA and the PA provides a right of access to information held by a government institution and to personal information, subject to specific and limited exemptions set out in the respective legislation. The classification or confidentiality of a record is not an applicable exemption and therefore a record can not be exempted or excluded solely on those grounds. However, the classification or confidentiality can be a factor to consider when examining the applicability of certain exemptions.

c. Under the ATIA, a government institution must respond to an access request within 30 days of receipt of the request by either giving written notice to the requester as to whether or not access to a record will be given or if access will be given, give the requester access to the records.49 Extension of time limits may also be taken if:

“(a) the request is for a large number of records or necessitates a search through a large number of records and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the government institution, (b) consultations are necessary to comply with the request that cannot reasonably be completed within the original time limit, or (c) notice of the request is given pursuant to subsection 27(1)”50 to a third party where the institution intends to disclose a record containing information pertaining to the third party.51

d. There are no specific forms in which the government institution must provide the

information. In general, copies of the requested information are released to the requester in paper format with applicable severance where exemptions apply. 5. What types of electronic data and information processing, transmission, and communication systems does your government use to ensure optimal access by the citizenry to public information? In general, copies of the requested information are released to the requester in paper format with applicable severance where exemptions apply. Government institutions

48 Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Access to Information (Ottawa: 2009) <http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/atip-aiprp/tools/administration-application-eng.asp>. Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Privacy (Ottawa: 2009) < http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/atip-aiprp/tools/priv-prp-eng.asp >. 49 ATIA, supra note 1, s. 7. 50 Ibid., s. 9. 51 Ibid., s. 27(1).

proactively disclose financial and human resources related information on departmental web sites. 6. What types of civil society organizations of your country have played or may play an important part in promoting the right of access to public information and in helping to strengthen the obligation of transparency and accountability in your country’s government? The Office of the IC was established with the enactment of the ATIA and provides assistance to individuals and organizations where their rights under the ATIA have not been respected. The IC is appointed by and reports directly to the Parliament of Canada and oversees the application and compliance of the ATIA. The Office of the PC was also established with the enactment of the PA and is responsible to oversee the compliance and application of the PA. The PC is appointed by and reports directly to the Parliament of Canada. In addition, there are many associations independent from the Government of Canada that strengthens the obligation of transparency and accountability and are involved in matters relating to government transparency. Democracy Watch, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Association of Professional Access and Privacy Administrators, Canadian Bar Association, Centre for Law and Democracy, Canadian Newspaper Association, and Canadian Association of Journalists as well as British Columbia Freedom of Information and Privacy Association are among some associations that promote awareness of access to information and strengthen the obligation of accountability. IV. PART THREE: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 1. Is there any additional information or legislation, or are there any further materials that might be useful in preparing a study containing recommendations, guidelines, and best practices regarding access to public information and the way in which OAS member states handle this matter? 2. Do you have any other comments you would like to make?

EL SALVADOR

PANAMA

II. Parte Uno: Acceso a la Información Pública

1. Si, La República de Panamá en su ordenamiento jurídico interno regula el acceso a la información publica mediante la Ley 6 del 23 de enero del 2002 que “Que dicta normas para la transparencia en la gestión pública, establece la acción de Hábeas Data y dicta otras disposiciones”.

Este derecho a la información es regulado en el artículo 2 de este texto legal y los mecanismos para hacer frente al cumplimiento de dichas normas se establecen en los capítulos VI y VIII, que establecen las Sanciones y Responsabilidades Personales de los Funcionarios y Fiscalización del Cumplimiento por el Órgano Legislativo respectivamente. “Artículo 2. Toda persona tiene derecho a solicitar, sin necesidad de sustentar justificación o motivación alguna, la información de acceso público en poder o en conocimiento de las instituciones indicadas en la presente Ley. Las empresas privadas que suministren servicios públicos con carácter de exclusividad, están obligadas a proporcionar la información que les sea solicitada por los usuarios del servicio, respecto a éste.”

Capítulo VI Sanciones y Responsabilidades Personales de los Funcionarios

Artículo 20. El funcionario requerido por el Tribunal que conoce del Recurso de Hábeas Data, que incumpla con la obligación de suministrar la información, incurrirá en desacato y será sancionado con multa mínima equivalente al doble del salario mensual que devenga. En caso de reincidencia, el funcionario será sancionado con la destitución del cargo. Artículo 21. La persona afectada por habérsele negado el acceso a la información, una vez cumplidos con los requisitos y trámites expuestos en la presente Ley, tendrá derecho a demandar civilmente al servidor público responsable por los daños y perjuicios que se le hayan ocasionado. Artículo 22. El funcionario que obstaculice el acceso a la información, destruya o altere un documento o registro, sin perjuicio de las responsabilidades administrativas y penales derivadas del hecho, será sancionado con multa equivalente a dos veces el salario mensual que devenga. Artículo 23. El monto de las multas impuestas por las sanciones establecidas en la presente Ley, será remitido a una cuenta especial para la Defensoría del Pueblo dentro de su presupuesto, y será destinado a programas de participación ciudadana.

Capítulo VIII Fiscalización del Cumplimiento por el Órgano Legislativo

Artículo 26. Anualmente, todas las instituciones públicas incorporarán, en las memorias que presentarán al Órgano Legislativo, un informe que contendrá lo siguiente: 1. El número de las solicitudes de información presentadas a la institución. 2. El número de solicitudes resultas y negadas. 3. Una lista de todos los actos administrativos sometidos a participación ciudadana con un informe de las observaciones y decisiones finalmente adoptadas.

2. Si, La República de Panamá tiene mecanismos destinados a regular e incentivar la transparencia, a través de la incorporación de toda la información relacionada con contrataciones, planillas, etc., dentro de las secciones de transparencia de las paginas web de ministerios e instituciones publicas y esta regulado por la Ley 6 de 22 de enero del 2002 en sus artículos 9,10,11 y 12, además es importante mencionar que cada institución gubernamental actualiza periódicamente dentro de su pagina web sección link de transparencia toda la información contenida.

Artículo 9. En atención al principio de publicidad, las instituciones del Estado están obligadas a tener disponible en forma impresa, en sus respectivos sitios en Internet y a publicar periódicamente, información actualizada respecto de los temas, documentos y políticas que a continuación se detallan:

1. El reglamento interno actualizado de la institución. 2. Las políticas generales de la institución, que formen parte de su plan estratégico. 3. Los manuales de procedimientos internos de la institución. 4. La descripción de la estructura organizativa de la institución. 5. La ubicación de documentos por categorías, registros y archivos de la institución, y el funcionario responsable de éstos. 6. La descripción de los formularios y reglas de procedimiento para obtener información de la institución y dónde pueden ser obtenidos.

Las instituciones públicas que tienen páginas electrónicas, además de los boletines, estarán obligadas a publicar a través de Internet la información que obliga la presente Ley. Parágrafo. La Contraloría General de la República deberá publicar un informe sobre la ejecución presupuestaria, a más tardar dentro de los treinta días posteriores a dicha ejecución. El Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas deberá publicar un informe sobre la ejecución presupuestaria, a más tardar dentro de los treinta días posteriores a tal ejecución. Artículo 10. El Estado informará a quien lo requiera sobre lo siguiente:

1. Funcionamiento de la institución, decisiones adoptadas y la información relativa a todos los proyectos que se manejen en la institución. 2. Estructura y ejecución presupuestaria, estadística y cualquier otra información relativa al presupuesto institucional.

3. Programas desarrollados por la institución. 4. Actos públicos relativos a las contrataciones públicas desarrolladas por la institución.

El Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas y la Contraloría General de la República deberán presentar y publicar trimestralmente un informe sobre la ejecución presupuestaria del Estado, dentro de los treinta días siguientes a cada trimestre, el cual deberá tener, como mínimo la siguiente información:

1. Desenvolvimiento del Producto Interno Bruto por sector. 2. Comportamiento de las actividades más relevantes por sector.

Artículo 11. Será de carácter público y de libre acceso a las personas interesadas, la información relativa a la contratación y designación de funcionarios, planillas, gastos de representación, costos de viajes, emolumentos o pagos en concepto de viáticos y otros, de los funcionarios del nivel que sea y/o de otras personas que desempeñen funciones públicas.

Artículo 12. En cumplimiento de lo establecido en el artículo 267 de la Constitución Política, el Presupuesto General del Estado deberá contener la siguiente información sobre el sector público no financiero:

1. Ingresos corrientes. 2. Gastos corrientes de funcionamiento. 3. Ahorro corriente. 4. Intereses. 5. Gastos de capital (inversiones). 6. Donaciones y recuperaciones de capital. 7. Amortizaciones.

3. La Republica de Panamá garantiza el acceso a la información publica no solo por los

portales web de cada institución sino que al final de cada año se envían a la Asamblea Nacional un informe detallado de las gestiones de cada una de las instituciones gubernamentales, dicho informe es leído ante el pleno y luego se envía a las bibliotecas de cada institución gubernamental para que este al alcance de todas las personas.

4. Como obligación para todo funcionario publico que llegue ante su despacho una solicitud

de información en base a la Ley 65 del 30 de octubre del 2009 el funcionario esta obligado a responder en un termino no mayor de 30 días calendarios para dar respuesta a la información solicitada, en caso tal de que no se cumpla esta disposición el ciudadano puede interponer el recurso de habeas data el cual esta contemplado como un recurso judicial para solicitar la información solicitada.

Artículo 7. El funcionario receptor tendrá treinta días calendario a partir de la fecha de la presentación de la solicitud, para contestarla por escrito, y, en caso de que ésta no posea el o los documentos o registros solicitados, así lo informará. Si el funcionario tiene conocimiento que otra institución tiene o pueda tener en su poder dichos documentos o documentos similares, estará obligado a indicárselo al solicitante. De tratarse de una solicitud compleja o extensa, el funcionario informará por escrito, dentro de los treinta días calendario antes señalados, la necesidad de extender el término para recopilar la información solicitada. En ningún caso, dicho término podrá exceder de treinta días calendarios adicionales. Se deberá prever un mecanismo claro y simple de constancia de la entrega efectiva de la información al solicitante, que puede hacerse también a través de correo electrónico cuando se disponga de tal facilidad y, en todo caso, cuando la solicitud hubiere sido presentada por esa vía. En caso de que la información solicitada por la persona ya esté disponible al público en medios impresos tales como libros, compendios, trípticos, archivos públicos de la administración, así como también en formatos electrónicos disponibles en Internet o en cualquier otro medio, se le hará saber la fuente, el lugar y la forma en que puede tener acceso a dicha información previamente publicada.

5. Administrativamente esta la defensoría del pueblo como institución garante de los derechos de los ciudadanos y legalmente el ciudadano que sienta su derecho a la información vulnerado o menoscabado o con falta de respuestas en tiempo oportuno puede interponer el recurso de habeas data.

Capítulo V Acción de Hábeas Data

Artículo 17. Toda persona estará legitimada para promover acción de Hábeas Data, con miras a garantizar el derecho de acceso a la información previsto en esta Ley, cuando el funcionario público titular o responsable del registro, archivo o banco de datos en el que se encuentra la información o dato personal reclamado, no le haya suministrado lo solicitado o si suministrado lo requerido se haya hecho de manera insuficiente o en forma inexacta. Artículo 18. La acción de Hábeas Data será de competencia de los Tribunales Superiores que conocen de la acción de Amparo de Garantías Constitucionales, cuando el funcionario titular o responsable del registro, archivo o banco de datos, tenga mando y jurisdicción a nivel municipal o provincial. Cuando el titular o responsable del registro, archivo o banco de datos tenga mando o jurisdicción en dos o más provincias o en toda la República, será de competencia del Pleno de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Artículo 19. La acción de Hábeas Data se tramitará mediante procedimiento sumario sin formalidades, sin necesidad de abogado, y en lo que respecta a la sustanciación, impedimentos, notificaciones y apelaciones, se aplicarán las normas que para estas materias se regulan en el ejercicio de la acción de Amparo de Garantías Constitucionales.

6. El Código de Ética de los Servidores Públicos, Decreto Ejecutivo 246 de 15 diciembre del 2004 contempla sanciones administrativa, como amonestaciones verbales, escrita, suspensión del cargo o destitución, para aquellos servidores que incurran en la violación de las disposiciones de este código. La ley 6 de 23 de enero de 2002 de establece que todo funcionario que incumpla con la obligación de suministrar la información será sancionado con multa mínima equivalente al doble del salario mensual que devenga En caso de reincidencia, el funcionario será sancionado con la destitución del cargo. Y el funcionario que obstaculice el acceso a la información, sin perjuicio de las responsabilidades administrativas y penales derivadas del hecho, será sancionado con multa equivalente a dos veces el salario mensual que devenga. Al igual que la persona afectada, tendrá el derecho a demandar civilmente al servidor público responsable por los daños y perjuicios que se le hayan ocasionado

III. Parte Dos: Mejores Prácticas:

1. El gobierno panameño ha instituido el sistema panama compras (Vía Internet), como un sistema que facilita el intercambio de información y el proceso de contratación de bienes o servicios.

2. El gobierno nacional ha creado recientemente el sistema de atención ciudadana 311 con

el objetivo de recibir todas las denuncias contra instituciones gubernamentales y funcionarios públicos, todo en una línea caliente 311, abriendo un abanico de oportunidades no solo al acceso a la información sino a denunciar cualquier irregularidad en la administración gubernamental y dándole respuesta al ciudadano de su denuncia en un periodo de 30 días.

3. Como requisitos para solicitar determinada información publica solo se necesitan las

generales particulares del solicitante: nombre completo numero de cedula, direccion y un numero telefónico donde poder contactar a la persona, también se puede tramitar la solicitud via email, en donde debe dar los datos anteriormente mencionados y un correo

electrónico donde enviarle la respuesta a su solicitud, no se requieren solicitudes hechas por abogado, excepto el recurso de habeas data ya que este recurso es de carácter judicial.

4. No existe un manual generalizado de instrucciones que incluya a todas las instituciones

gubernamentales, cada institución crea sus canales de procedimiento y reparto de solicitudes para garantizar la solicitud de la información, sin embargo se cuenta con una buena comunicación tecnológica en caso de recibir una solicitud que no corresponda con una institución en particular y que la misma sea canalizada a la institución competente.

5. Todas las instituciones gubernamentales cuentan con un link de transparencia, donde la

población en general puede ver la información que esta buscando, y esta información es constantemente actualizada y a través del Consejo Nacional de Transparencia Contra la Corrupción, monitorea la actualización de la información de las paginas web y informa a la institución si su pagina web necesita ser actualizada.

6. Las organizaciones civiles han tenido un papel destacado en el tema de la transparencia

pero no son constantes en estos puntos si no en aquellos que por el momentun político les interese discutir.

IV. Parte Tres: información Adicional

1. En Panamá, el periodista Rafael Pérez Jaramillo ha realizado dos estudios sobre el uso de la Ley de acceso a la información publica, lo cual es hasta el momento el único aporte que se tiene sobre el tema en particular y se encuentra en la pagina web http://www.cnppanama.org.

REPUBLICA DOMINICANA