Access to public documents: local practices and European Human Rights Standards

On 16 December 2015, Kosovo Judicial Institute in cooperation with Thomson Foundation conducted training on: “Access to public documents: local practices and European Human Rights Standards”.

The training aimed to advance the knowledge of participants regarding national and international legal basis for access to public documents and recognition of local and international practices in terms of transparency of public institutions.

Initially during the training were elaborated the practices of civil society and media in Kosovo, difficulties encountered by journalists and the public in accessing information due to the reluctance of institutions in providing access to public documents and the rights and responsibilities provided by Law on access to Official Documents in Kosovo. In this context, it was also discussed the form of request and responding deadline by the respective institutions.

Furthermore, were addressed the standards and practices of the European Court of Human Rights on access to public documents, where were presented various cases referred to the European Court of Human Rights.

Participants were divided into working groups where they had to discuss a case study.

Beneficiaries of this training were judges, lawyers, members of the Independent Media Commission, members of the Press Council, and representatives of the BIRN KIPRED.