Right to Information

Law 27.275, sanctioned in September 2016, guarantees the right of access to information held by the State, on a presumption of openness. Article 19 created the Agencia de Acceso a la Informacion Publica (AAIP) as the autonomous enforcement authority that receives complaints and oversees compliance.

Oversight: Agencia de Acceso a la Informacion Publica (AAIP)

Argentina.gob.ar - Ley 27.275, Derecho de Acceso a la Informacion Publica (official registry)

The Commonwealth FOI Act 1982 gives a right of access to documents held by Australian Government agencies and ministers. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner provides regulatory oversight, handles complaints and conducts merits review of access decisions.

Oversight: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner - Freedom of Information

The Act gives citizens a right to information held by public, autonomous and certain private bodies receiving public funds. The independent Information Commission hears appeals and complaints and issues binding decisions, though commissioner posts have at times been left vacant.

Oversight: Information Commission (Bangladesh)

Laws of Bangladesh - The Right to Information Act, 2009

Law No. 12.527, the Access to Information Law, was adopted in 2011 and entered into force in May 2012, granting a right of access to information held by public bodies at all levels. Within the federal executive branch the CGU acts as an appellate body, with a final tier before the Joint Committee for Reevaluation of Information.

Oversight: Controladoria-Geral da Uniao (CGU) for the federal executive; final appeals to the Comissao Mista de Reavaliacao de Informacoes

Presidencia da Republica / Planalto - Lei no 12.527, de 18 de novembro de 2011 (official text)

The APIA entitles anyone to request information held by public authorities and bodies performing public functions, subject to exemptions. Bulgaria has no dedicated freedom-of-information commissioner; enforcement relies primarily on the administrative courts, with the Ombudsman able to recommend but not compel disclosure.

Oversight: none / courts only (administrative courts; Ombudsman has limited role)

Access to Public Information Act (English text, Bulgarian Ministry of Innovation)

The Access to Information Act came into force in 1983 and gives a right of access to records under the control of federal government institutions. The independent Information Commissioner of Canada, an officer of Parliament, investigates complaints and, following 2019 amendments, can issue binding orders subject to Federal Court review.

Oversight: Information Commissioner of Canada

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada - Canada's access to information system

Law 20.285, published in August 2008, regulates the principle of transparency and the right of access to information held by State Administration bodies. It created the autonomous Consejo para la Transparencia to promote transparency, supervise compliance, and resolve access disputes.

Oversight: Consejo para la Transparencia

Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile - Ley 20.285 (official text)

Law 1712 of 2014 establishes the fundamental right of access to public information held by State bodies and others performing public functions. Oversight is shared: the Procuraduria General de la Nacion exercises disciplinary/sanctioning authority for non-compliance, while policy design and promotion sit with the Secretaria de Transparencia of the Presidency, coordinating with other agencies.

Oversight: Procuraduria General de la Nacion (sanctioning/oversight); policy led by the Secretaria de Transparencia of the Presidency

Secretaria del Senado de Colombia - Ley 1712 de 2014 (official text)

Adopted 11 May 1999, the Act applies to state agencies, self-government authorities and public institutions managing public funds, with disclosure the default. Appeals go to the superior administrative body and, ultimately, the administrative courts; there is no dedicated information commissioner.

Oversight: none / courts only (superior administrative body and administrative courts)

Act 106/1999 Coll. on Free Access to Information (Czech Ministry of the Interior English text)

Holders of information must register and answer requests and proactively publish certain information. The Data Protection Inspectorate has a dual mandate as both the data-protection authority and the freedom-of-information regulator, exercising supervision over compliance.

Oversight: Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate (Andmekaitse Inspektsioon)

Public Information Act (Riigi Teataja consolidated English text)

Adopted in December 2008, the proclamation governs the mass media and establishes a right of access to information held by public bodies, with exemptions. The Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman monitors implementation; a replacement access-to-information bill was in parliamentary review as of 2025 but the 2008 proclamation remained in force.

Oversight: Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman (EIO)

Ethiopia — Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation No. 590/2008 (NATLEX/ILO)

The Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999) establishes that official documents are public unless specifically classified, giving everyone a right of access. Finland has no specialised information commissioner; the Parliamentary Ombudsman and Chancellor of Justice oversee public authorities and refusals are appealable to the administrative courts.

Oversight: Parliamentary Ombudsman and Chancellor of Justice (general legality oversight; no dedicated information commissioner)

Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999) - Finlex

Law 78-753 of 17 July 1978 established a right of access to administrative documents; since 2016 its provisions are codified in Book III of the Code des relations entre le public et l'administration. The independent CADA, created by the 1978 law, advises on and helps resolve refusals of access.

Oversight: Commission d'accès aux documents administratifs (CADA)

Loi n° 78-753 du 17 juillet 1978 - Légifrance

Freedom of information is regulated by Chapter 3 of the General Administrative Code, in force since 1999, allowing requests for public information from public institutions. There is no dedicated information commissioner (one has been proposed in reform drafts but not established as of 2026); oversight relies on the courts and annual compliance reporting to Parliament, the President and the Prime Minister.

Oversight: none / courts only (courts; annual reporting to Parliament, President and Prime Minister)

General Administrative Code of Georgia (official English text, matsne.gov.ge)

The federal IFG, enacted in 2005 and in force from 1 January 2006, grants everyone access to official information held by federal authorities. The BfDI acts as an ombudsman for freedom-of-information matters; the law applies only at the federal level, with most Länder having their own transparency or FOI laws.

Oversight: Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI)

Informationsfreiheitsgesetz (IFG) - Gesetze im Internet

Gives substance to the constitutional right to information under Article 21(1)(f). Citizens may request information held by public (and some private) institutions, subject to exemptions. The Right to Information Commission promotes, monitors, and enforces the law and may impose fines for non-compliance.

Oversight: Right to Information Commission (RTIC)

Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) — GhaLII

The combined Info Act covers both personal-data protection and access to data of public interest, allowing requests to public-task bodies. The NAIH supervises compliance and can issue notices and pursue enforcement; refusals are also actionable in court.

Oversight: National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH)

Act CXII of 2011 (NAIH official English text)

Any citizen may request information held by public authorities of central, state and local government. Appeals and complaints are heard by the Central Information Commission at the federal level and by State Information Commissions for state public authorities.

Oversight: Central Information Commission (and State Information Commissions)

India Code: Right to Information Act, 2005

Enacted in 2008 and operational from 2010, the law gives every citizen the right to obtain public information from public bodies. Disputes over access are resolved by the independent Information Commission (Komisi Informasi), with judicial review available.

Oversight: Komisi Informasi (Central Information Commission) and provincial/regency Information Commissions

NATLEX (ILO) - Indonesia - The Openness of Public Information Law (No. 14 of 2008)

The 2014 Act gives the public a right of access to records held by public bodies and bodies receiving significant state funding, replacing earlier 1997 and 2003 Acts. Decisions can be independently reviewed by the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Oversight: Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC)

Freedom of Information Act 2014 - Irish Statute Book

Any Israeli citizen or resident may request information from a public authority; each authority appoints an officer to handle requests. The statute was enacted in 1998 and took effect in 1999. There is no single independent information commissioner, oversight runs through the government Supervisor unit and the courts.

Oversight: Supervisor for Implementation of the Freedom of Information Law (Freedom of Information Unit), Prime Minister's Office; courts on appeal

Freedom of Information Law, 5758-1998, Israel (WIPO Lex)

Legislative Decree 33/2013, as amended by Decree 97/2016, introduced 'generalized civic access' (Italy's FOIA), giving anyone a right to data and documents held by public administrations beyond mandatory-publication items, operational from 23 December 2016. ANAC issues guidelines and oversees the transparency regime.

Oversight: National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC)

Decreto Legislativo 14 marzo 2013, n. 33 - Normattiva

The Access to Information Act was passed in 2002 and implemented on a phased basis from January 2004 through July 2005, giving the public a right of access to official documents held by public authorities. The Access to Information Unit administers the Act, and the Access to Information Appeal Tribunal hears appeals with binding decisions subject to Supreme Court review.

Oversight: Access to Information Unit (Office of the Prime Minister) and the Access to Information Appeal Tribunal

Ministry of Justice, Jamaica - The Access to Information Act (official statute)

Adopted in 1999 and in force from 2001, the Act lets any person request administrative documents held by national administrative organs. Disclosure decisions can be challenged through administrative review, with advisory examination by the Information Disclosure and Personal Information Protection Review Board, and ultimately the courts.

Oversight: Information Disclosure and Personal Information Protection Review Board (Information Disclosure Review Board); courts on appeal

Japanese Law Translation - Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs

Enacted in 2007, this was the first national access-to-information statute in the Arab world; an Information Council oversees its application. The law was amended in 2024. Access historically required showing a lawful interest, and Council decisions on complaints have been non-binding.

Oversight: Information Council (with the National Library / Information Commissioner role)

Law No. 47/2007 on Securing the Right to Information (full text)

Gives effect to Article 35 of the Constitution, granting citizens access to information held by the state and by certain private bodies. The Commission on Administrative Justice holds oversight and enforcement powers, with binding decisions on national and county governments.

Oversight: Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman), which designates an Access to Information Commissioner

Access to Information Act, 2016 (No. 31 of 2016) — Kenya Law

Passed in February 2017 as part of a set of anti-corruption laws and amended by Law No. 233 in 2021, which removed the requirement to state a reason for requests. Oversight and appeals are handled by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, whose access-to-information decisions are binding.

Oversight: National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)

The Right of Access to Information Law, Law No. 28 dated 10/2/2017 (NACC)

The first freedom-of-information statute in West Africa, granting a right of access to public records subject to exemptions. The Independent Information Commissioner, appointed by the President with Senate consent, is the final administrative arbiter of access complaints and oversees compliance.

Oversight: Independent Information Commission (headed by the Independent Information Commissioner)

Liberia Freedom of Information Act of 2010 (full text)

The General Law on Transparency and Access to Public Information first took effect in 2015. A 2024-2025 constitutional reform abolished the autonomous guarantor INAI; a new General Law was published in March 2025, transferring oversight to a decentralized body, Transparencia para el Pueblo, under the federal Secretariat of Anti-Corruption and Good Governance. The statutory right of access remains in force.

Oversight: Transparencia para el Pueblo (within the Secretaria Anticorrupcion y Buen Gobierno) - replaced the former INAI, dissolved in 2025

Camara de Diputados - Ley General de Transparencia y Acceso a la Informacion Publica (official text)

Promulgated and published in 2018 (implementing the constitutional right under the 2011 Constitution) and entered into force in March 2020. It grants access to Moroccan citizens and lawfully resident foreigners; the Commission for the Right of Access to Information oversees implementation, though its powers are largely advisory.

Oversight: Commission for the Right of Access to Information (CDAI / Commission du droit d'acces a l'information)

Morocco: Analysis of Law No. 31-13 on the Right of Access to Information (Centre for Law and Democracy)

Enacted in 2007 (2064 BS), the Act guarantees every citizen the right to information held by public bodies, with defined response timelines. The National Information Commission serves as the appellate and enforcement authority.

Oversight: National Information Commission (Rastriya Suchana Aayog)

Nepal Law Commission - Right to Information Act, 2064 (2007)

The Wet open overheid (Woo) was adopted in 2021 and entered into force on 1 May 2022, replacing the 1991 Government Information (Public Access) Act (Wob). It gives anyone a right to request government information and expands proactive publication; an advisory college monitors implementation, with decisions reviewable by the administrative courts.

Oversight: Advisory Board on Open Government (Adviescollege Openbaarheid en Informatiehuishouding, ACOI); refusals appealable to administrative courts

Wet open overheid - wetten.overheid.nl

The Act creates a public right of access to information held by central government bodies, on the principle that information be released unless there is good reason to withhold it. Refusals can be investigated by the Ombudsman, whose recommendations are normally binding.

Oversight: Office of the Ombudsman

New Zealand Legislation - Official Information Act 1982 No 156

Establishes a right of any person to access records held by public institutions, with stated exemptions. No independent oversight commission exists; applicants enforce denials through the courts, and the Attorney-General files annual implementation reports to the National Assembly.

Oversight: none / courts only (no dedicated information commissioner; the Attorney-General of the Federation reports to the National Assembly and enforcement is via the Federal High Court)

Freedom of Information Act 2011, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria

Offentleglova (Act No. 16 of 19 May 2006, in force from 1 January 2009) gives everyone a right of access to documents held by public authorities and certain public undertakings, replacing the 1970 Act. Refusals can be brought before the Parliamentary Ombud (Sivilombudet).

Oversight: Parliamentary Ombud (Sivilombudet)

Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) - Lovdata

The federal Act gives citizens a right to information held by public bodies of the Federal Government; provinces have their own separate laws. The Pakistan Information Commission, established in 2018, hears appeals and oversees implementation at the federal level.

Oversight: Pakistan Information Commission (federal; established 2018)

Pakistan Code - The Right of Access to Information Act, 2017

Law 27806, adopted in 2002, regulates the constitutional right of access to public information on a presumption of publicity. Decreto Legislativo 1353 (2017) created the National Authority for Transparency (ANTAIP) within the Ministry of Justice to supervise compliance, and a specialized Transparency Tribunal (TTAIP) to resolve appeals.

Oversight: Autoridad Nacional de Transparencia y Acceso a la Informacion Publica (ANTAIP), with the Tribunal de Transparencia y Acceso a la Informacion Publica (TTAIP) deciding appeals

Plataforma del Estado Peruano (gob.pe) - Decreto Legislativo 1353 creating ANTAIP; Ley 27806

Anyone may request public information from public authorities and bodies performing public tasks, with a broad default of disclosure. Refusals are challenged through administrative appeal and the regional administrative courts; Poland has no dedicated information commissioner.

Oversight: none / courts only (administrative courts)

Act of 6 September 2001 on Access to Public Information (English translation)

Law 26/2016 sets out the regime for access to and reuse of administrative and environmental information, continuing Portugal's open-administration tradition (earlier LADA laws date from 1993). The independent CADA, operating with Parliament, monitors compliance and issues (non-binding) opinions on access disputes, which can be challenged in the administrative courts.

Oversight: Comissão de Acesso aos Documentos Administrativos (CADA)

Lei n.º 26/2016, de 22 de agosto - CADA

Adopted 12 October 2001, the law guarantees free access to information of public interest as a fundamental principle of relations between citizens and public authorities. There is no dedicated information commissioner; disputes go via administrative complaint and the administrative courts, while the personal-data authority only checks the Article 12 exemption.

Oversight: none / courts only (administrative complaint and administrative courts)

Law No. 544 of 12 October 2001 regarding the free access to information of public interest (English text)

Grants any person access to information held by public organs and certain private bodies, generally without fees, subject to ministerial orders on national-security and proactively published information. The Office of the Ombudsman monitors enforcement of the law.

Oversight: Office of the Ombudsman (monitors enforcement; the Media High Council also has a role in implementation)

Law N° 04/2013 of 08/02/2013 Relating to Access to Information — Official Gazette nº 10 of 11 March 2013

Adopted in 2004 (Official Gazette RS No. 120/04), the law lets anyone request information of public importance from public authorities. An autonomous Commissioner hears complaints and oversees compliance; the office later also assumed personal-data-protection duties.

Oversight: Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection

Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance (Official Gazette RS No. 120/04) - Commissioner

Grants a right of access to information held by public authorities, with proactive-publication duties and stated exemptions. The Right to Access Information Commission, operational since 2014, receives and decides complaints, conducts investigations, and monitors compliance.

Oversight: Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), established 2014

The Right to Access Information Act, 2013 (No. 2 of 2013)

Adopted 22 March 2003 (Official Gazette RS No. 24/2003), the Act gives everyone a right to request information held by public bodies, with disclosure the default. The autonomous Information Commissioner, established by a separate 2005 act, acts as the appeals and inspection authority.

Oversight: Information Commissioner (Informacijski pooblascenec)

Access to Public Information Act - Information Commissioner of the Republic of Slovenia

Gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by the state and by private bodies where required to exercise or protect a right. Any person may request information; exemptions apply. Since 2021 the Information Regulator monitors and enforces compliance.

Oversight: Information Regulator (South Africa) — assumed PAIA oversight from the South African Human Rights Commission on 1 July 2021

Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 | South African Government

Enacted in 1996 and in force from 1998, the Act guarantees the right to request information held by public institutions. Policy oversight and coordination rest with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety through the Information Disclosure Committee, with administrative appeals and court review available.

Oversight: Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Information Disclosure Committee (under that Ministry)

Korea Law Translation (KLRI) - Official Information Disclosure Act

Law 19/2013 establishes a statutory right of access to public information and active-disclosure duties, applying to the central administration and (via cooperation agreements) other public bodies. The independent Consejo de Transparencia y Buen Gobierno handles complaints and promotes compliance, though several autonomous communities have their own transparency councils.

Oversight: Consejo de Transparencia y Buen Gobierno (Council for Transparency and Good Government)

Ley 19/2013, de 9 de diciembre, de transparencia - BOE

The principle of public access to official documents has been part of Sweden's Freedom of the Press Act, one of its constitutional fundamental laws, since 1766 (the current Act dates from 1949 with later amendments). It gives everyone a directly enforceable right to access official records; the Parliamentary Ombudsman and Chancellor of Justice supervise authorities, with refusals appealable to the courts.

Oversight: Parliamentary Ombudsman (Justitieombudsmannen / JO)

The Freedom of the Press Act - Sveriges Riksdag

The federal Freedom of Information Act (BGÖ/LTrans), adopted on 17 December 2004 and in force from 1 July 2006, shifts the federal administration from a principle of secrecy to one of public access, giving everyone a right to official documents. The FDPIC acts as mediator and issues recommendations; the law covers federal bodies, while cantons regulate their own transparency.

Oversight: Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC / EDÖB / PFPDT)

Federal Act on Freedom of Information in the Administration - Fedlex

Enacted in 2016 and operational from July 2017, the Act grants access to information held by public authorities and some private bodies, subject to broad exemptions. There is no dedicated oversight commission; an aggrieved person appeals to the Minister responsible for legal affairs whose decision is final, with further recourse through the courts.

Oversight: none / courts only (no independent information commissioner; appeals lie to the Minister responsible for legal affairs, then to the courts)

Access to Information Act, 2016 (No. 6 of 2016) — TanzLII

The Act establishes a right to request official information from state agencies. The Official Information Board and its secretariat, the Office of the Official Information Commission, handle complaints, while appeals against non-disclosure go to the Information Disclosure Tribunal.

Oversight: Official Information Board / Office of the Official Information Commission (Office of the Prime Minister); Information Disclosure Tribunal on appeal

Official Information Act, B.E. 2540 (1997) - FAOLEX

The 2016 organic law grants a right of access to information held by public bodies and entities receiving public funds, with response deadlines and exemptions. The independent oversight authority INAI was effectively shut down in 2025, so the statute remains on the books but lacks a functioning enforcement institution as of 2026.

Oversight: Instance Nationale d'Accès à l'Information (INAI) — established Sept. 2017 but dissolved by the government in 2025 (offices quietly closed, staff reassigned); no functioning oversight body remains, leaving courts as the only recourse

Access to Information Space — Instance Nationale d'Accès à l'Information (INAI)

Adopted in 2003 (published in the Official Gazette on 24 October 2003) and in force from 2004; the right gained constitutional grounding in 2010. Public bodies must respond within set time limits, and the Board of Review of Access to Information evaluates objections to rejected or unanswered requests.

Oversight: Board of Review of Access to Information (Bilgi Edinme Degerlendirme Kurulu, BEDK)

Turkey: Law No. 4982 of 2003 on the Right to Information (Refworld)

Adopted 13 January 2011 and in force from 9 May 2011, the law gives a right to request information from managers of information (public bodies and others holding public information). Parliamentary control over the right is exercised by the Ombudsman; refusals can also be appealed to the courts.

Oversight: Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman)

Law of Ukraine On Access to Public Information (English text, ICNL)

The Act gives anyone a statutory right to request recorded information held by UK public authorities, subject to exemptions. It was enacted in 2000 and came fully into force on 1 January 2005; the ICO, independent of government, oversees compliance and can order disclosure. (Scotland has its own Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 with a separate Scottish Information Commissioner.)

Oversight: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - legislation.gov.uk

FOIA, enacted 1966 and effective 1967, gives any person the right to request records from federal executive-branch agencies, subject to nine exemptions. OGIS (created by the 2007 OPEN Government Act) offers mediation and reviews agency compliance, but binding review is through the federal courts.

Oversight: Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), National Archives and Records Administration; enforcement ultimately via federal courts

FOIA.gov - Freedom of Information Act Statute (official U.S. government portal)

Law 18.381, enacted in 2008, guarantees the right of any person to access public information held by State and non-State public bodies, without needing to state reasons. The Unidad de Acceso a la Informacion Publica (UAIP) controls implementation, advises public bodies, and oversees compliance.

Oversight: Unidad de Acceso a la Informacion Publica (UAIP)

IMPO (Centro de Informacion Oficial, Uruguay) - Ley No 18.381 (official text)

China has no national statutory access-to-information law and its Constitution does not establish such a right. Access rests on the Regulations on Open Government Information, an administrative regulation adopted in 2007 and revised in 2019, enforced through administrative channels and litigation rather than an independent commission.

Oversight: none / courts only

Library of Congress - China: Open Government Regulations Revised

As of 2026 there is no national statutory FOI law in force. Access at the national level rests on Executive Order No. 2 (2016), which binds only the Executive branch. A People's Freedom of Information Act passed the Senate in May 2026 but had not yet been enacted into law.

Oversight: none / courts only

Freedom of Information Order (Philippines) - Wikipedia

There is no parliamentary access-to-information statute as of 2026. A Freedom of Information Policy and accompanying regulations issued administratively through the National Data Management Office under SDAIA govern requests for unprotected public information, but this is executive policy rather than a legislative right, with broad national-security exclusions.

Oversight: none / courts only

Freedom of Information (Saudi National Platform)

There is no national statutory access-to-information law as of 2026. Access relies on a non-statutory federal Guide to Access Government Information and constitutional provisions, plus sector- and emirate-level measures such as Dubai's data publication law. No general right enforceable through an information commissioner exists.

Oversight: none / courts only

Citizens' right to access government information (Official Platform of the UAE Government)