International Day for Universal Access to Information is celebrated on September 28. Everyone has the right to receive and disseminate information, as well as to access documents in the public institution in accordance with the law. The right to access public information is a good protected by the Constitution of Georgia and ensures the accountability of public institutions to the public.

An important challenge in the country is the absence of an effective institution of the right to access public information. Due to the lengthy procedure for the consideration of a case, the possibility of appealing to the court cannot ensure complete or timely access to the information by the stakeholder, which is proved by the statistical data received from the city and regional courts by the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia. The mentioned issue is particularly acute in relation to journalists and human rights defenders, since the information provided late may lose its initial value for the society and hamper the implementation of their activities.[1] For the proper realization of freedom of information, it is important to create legal guarantees of the right of access to public information, harmonize them with international standards and ensure effective enforcement.

For years, the Public Defender of Georgia has been calling on the Government of Georgia to introduce legislative changes to improve the standard of protection of public information, which, among other things, can ensure the creation of an effective and independent supervisory mechanism.

[1] See https://ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2024052311354297279.pdf pp. 157-159.