RIGHT TO INFORMATION: THE STANDARD AND PRACTICE

RIGHT TO INFORMATION: THE STANDARD AND PRACTICE

Introduction: Every human being has some human rights. Right to information is one of them. It is the duty of states to fulfill this right of every citizen. Through this right a citizen can remove his or hers uncertainty and can be confirmed about his or hers due right. The well establishment of the right to information will make a good relation between and understanding between the government and the citizen. There is a much current tale that ‘Information is the oxygen of the Democracy’. That means over this foundation the democratic life of the state directed.

But it’s not enough to talk about right to information; its need to upright the expansion and practice. Cause based on the right to information the democratic consciousness build up and democratic manpower get expansion. That’s why the right to information is indispensable to make every state stable and peaceful in today’s instable world which will create a good relationship between the Government and the citizen.

Right to information: A citizen’s rights to information build up based on the total social-economic lifestyle. Freedom of information ensures the right to information. In a good government society must very sure the right to information. In 1959-1961 around 3 cores of people were died in China in a terrible famine. Same was happen in Bengal in 1943. According to the thought of  Amarta Sen this terrible things wont happen if the supply of information wont be obstructive; if the news medium will be free and right to information confessed there this type of disaster could be avoidable.[1] So, it can be said that as much as the information flow will be strong the protection of a society will get stronger.

The right to information is one of the parts of human rights. It’s also related with many other social, cultural rights. Some fundamental rights also involved here, like-

  • Right to safe food, law and suffering
  • Freedom of press
  • Woman’s right
  • Customer right; etc.

The right to information is now become global trends. Around the world most of the countries are taking steps to develop the right of their citizen. Countries are taking steps to make sure their citizen about their social, economical, cultural and democratic life. Laws and legislations are making to protect the right of information of the people. Because it create more open and democratic society and it helps to reducing poverty and it can fight against the corruption and enhancing transparency.

Standard and Practice: In a society the people should know what is happening; otherwise, the action of the ruler will be hidden. If it’s happen then a good government cannot take place. Most government however prefers to conduct their business in secret. Even democratic government would rather conduct the bulk of their business away from the eyes of the public.

But the right to information is now a days internationally recognized.” Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression. This right includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in a print, in the form of art or through any other media of his choice”.[2] “States should develop strategies to make information service and documentation accessible for different groups of persons with disabilities. Braille, tape service, large print and other appropriate technologies should be used to provide access to written information and documentation for person with visual impairments”.[3] In 1949, the United Nations passed a general assembly resolution known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To make the right to information forcible many treaties has been done around the world. These are building up for the right to freedom of opinion and expression including the right to seek, receive and impart information. Theses treaties mentioned are:

  • European Convention on Human Right (ECRH)
  • African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights
  • American Convention of Human Rights.[4]

In the system of participative democracy, which is extant in most of the democratic countries people will be at a disadvantage if they don’t know clearly as to what transpiring in the country. It is also the government duty to make clear the people about the politics and programmed followed by the government.

Like other democratic country U.S.A government also taking steps to make clear the people about the transparency of government. In 1966, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was passed in U.S.A. so that the citizen can have legal right to know about governmental information. U.K. government also passes Freedom of Independent Act, 2000 to establish the right of information of public. In South Asia, most of the countries follow the colonial era secrets acts and laws. But now a day’s most of the countries of south Asia are now recognized that the right of information is the part of constitutional guarantee of freedom to expression. Besides, civil society groups are creating pressure on the government to establish the right to information legislation by the support of different organization.[5] Now the countries of south Asia have started to response of these pressures.

The Indian parliament has adopted many laws and

Orders of the freedom of information act, 2000. In 1997, Pakistan ordinance was introduced with freedom of information. In Nepal, Sri Lanka, it is hoped that development will leads these countries to adopted steps for information right.

The constitutions are developing for the right to information in different countries around the world. U.S.A. Supreme Court has held the first constitution for the freedom of speech and of the press. Japan supreme court passed ‘shiru kenri’ (the right to information). South Africa constitution provided that, “every one has the right of access to any information held by the state and the national legislation must be enacted to give effect to this right.[6] Legislations are also holding to redress the imbalance power between the citizen and the state. U.S.A. legislation act on freedom of information are followed in legislation of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

International Organizations: Under United Nations the UNDP is taking a vast role for the establishment of right to information. The main focus area of UNDP‘s policy work on access of information are:

  • Communication for empowerment and civic education
  • Right to information
  • Media development[7]

Commonwealth experts were setting together to find out the principal and guide line of right to information what was adopted in 1999, may.

In 1948, the Organization of America State (OAS) guarantees freedom of opinion and expression[8]

Right to information in Bangladesh: The present government of our country has passed the Right to Information Act 2009. But its not started establish practically yet. The citizens are still in darkness about this right. Another important thing is the woman’s of our country are in deep darkness about their right. They don’t know if their outraged then which way or how they can have justice.[9]

But now-a-days people are getting aware about their right to information. The media has a great role in it. Through seminars, advertisements the media is trying to make people aware for the right to know, seek, obtain every fundamental information, specially in rural areas.

Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be said that right to information is one of the most important issue in the world today. It is proved that as much as the citizen of the state knows about their right and freedom they can lived the best way they can be. It will also help them to participate in the important of the state. Right to i

information is the powerful antidote against the corruption. It will help people to establish their human rights. And the government will be truthful to them. Through this right a good understanding

between the government and the people will take place.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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[1] Totther odhikar, by Vobesh das & Rebayet Ferdous; page:316

[2] International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights; Article 19(2).

[3] UN standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, Rule 5(b) (access to information and communication).

[4] Transparency International, global priorities; access information ; right to information, paragraph-6,Google.

[5] In the promoting of Right to information in south Asia four organization worked jointly like-Global Campaign for free expression, based in London, Centre for Policy Alternatives(CAP),based in Colombo, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative(CHRI) based in New Delhi, and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan(HRCP).right to information ,a survey to south Asia, introduction, paragraph-7.

[6] The 1996 constitution of republic South Africa; sec: 32.

[7] UNDP’s policy and programming development on access to information,paragraph-4,UNDP and the right to information, www.apdip.net/document/UNDPright2Information-final.pdf.

[8] Adopted by the ninth international conference of America states, 2 may 1948.

[9] Nari o tottho odhikar ; totther odhikar by Rebayet Ferdous.

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