tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post7610425277256028703..comments2023-05-05T07:13:41.889-04:00Comments on Corruption-free Anguilla: AnnoyedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-18815286338816998942008-09-16T14:35:00.000-04:002008-09-16T14:35:00.000-04:00Mr. Mitchell- get real. The combined force of the ...Mr. Mitchell- get real. The combined force of the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Attorney General in the Executive Council is like the tails wagging the dog. <BR/><BR/>It is the Attorney General's department which is responsible for recommending, drafting, explaining and piloting legislation such as the deceptively named Physical Planning Bill. You cannot honestly think that the Chief Minister of Anguilla had anything to do with the objectionable provisions of that Bill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-12722113800520315132008-09-15T16:05:00.000-04:002008-09-15T16:05:00.000-04:00Who or what is the "Anguilla Human Rights Unit"?Who or what is the "Anguilla Human Rights Unit"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-28202977732152793532008-09-15T09:21:00.000-04:002008-09-15T09:21:00.000-04:00TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENTFreedom of Information i...TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT<BR/><BR/>Freedom of Information is a Human Right and we in the Anguilla, support a Freedom of Iinformation Act and we would ask both government and opposition to implement such a law.<BR/><BR/>The OAS Resolution seems a good guiding light for Anguilla. It states:<BR/>1. In principle, all information is accessible. Access to information is a fundamental human right which establishes that everyone can access information from public bodies, subject only to a limited regime of exceptions in keeping with a democratic society and proportionate to the interest that justifies them. States should ensure full respect for the right to access to information through adopting appropriate legislation and putting in place the necessary implementation measures. <BR/><BR/>2. The right of access applies to all public bodies, including the executive, legislative and judicial branches at all levels of government, constitutional and statutory bodies, bodies which are owned or controlled by government, and organizations which operate with public funds or which perform public functions. <BR/><BR/>3. The right to access applies to all significant information, defined broadly to include everything which is held or recorded in any format or medium. <BR/><BR/>4. Public bodies should disseminate information about their functions and activities -including, but not limited to, their policies, opportunities for consultation, activities which affect members of the public, their budget, and subsidies, benefits and contracts - on a routine and proactive basis, even in the absence of a specific request, and in a manner which ensures that the information is accessible and understandable. <BR/><BR/>5. Clear, fair, non-discriminatory and simple rules should be put in place regarding the processing of requests for information. These should include clear and reasonable timelines, provision for assistance to be given to those requesting information, free or low-cost access, and does not exceed the cost of copying and sending the information, and a requirement that where access is refused reasons, including specific grounds for the refusal, be provided in a timely fashion. <BR/><BR/>6. Exceptions to the right to access should be established by law, be clear and narrow. <BR/><BR/>7. The burden of proof in justifying any denial of access to information lies with the body from which the information was requested. <BR/><BR/>8. Individuals should have the right to appeal against any refusal or obstruction to provide access to information to an administrative jurisdiction. There should also be a right to bring an appeal to the courts on the full merits of the case against the decisions of this administrative body. <BR/><BR/>9. Anyone who willfully denies or obstructs access to information in breach of the rules should be subject to sanction. <BR/><BR/>10. Measures should be taken to promote, to implement and to enforce the right to access to information including creating and maintaining public archives in a serious and professional manner, training public officials, implementing public awareness-raising programmes, improving systems of information management, and reporting by public bodies on the measures they have taken to implement the right of access, including in relation to their processing of requests for information. <BR/><BR/>Signed: The Anguilla Human Rights Unit (Member)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-20762522805111268872008-09-15T06:08:00.000-04:002008-09-15T06:08:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-65105851078885469152008-09-14T21:41:00.000-04:002008-09-14T21:41:00.000-04:00Of What use is the Freedom of Information Act in B...Of What use is the Freedom of Information Act in Britain?<BR/>Hypocrisy is one of the worst forms of dishonesty. It actually turns people off.<BR/><BR/>No one in Anguilla claimed that our government is perfect. And yes, we know of none better. Of course there is always room for improvement in any system, and we are in the process of making such improvements. <BR/><BR/>Standing by the wayside and casting stones is not very helpful. Why not join a national think-tank or lend your expertise to a civic organization which believes in promoting good governance AND DEMOCRACY?<BR/><BR/>ANGUILLIANS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-47302778187963776402008-09-14T18:22:00.000-04:002008-09-14T18:22:00.000-04:00Caymanian CompassInformation Commissioner panel na...Caymanian Compass<BR/>Information Commissioner panel named<BR/>11th September, 2008 <BR/><BR/>A five person panel which will make recommendations to Governor Stuart Jack on the selection of the Cayman Islands’ first Information Commissioner has been appointed.<BR/><BR/>“The panel is a group of highly capable individuals who I know will use both good judgement and fairness when making their decision,” Governor Jack said. “The Freedom of Information Law and the Office of the Information Commissioner will deliver on the Cayman Islands Government’s commitment to be more open, transparent and accountable.”<BR/><BR/>Cayman’s first Freedom of Information Law, which provides open access to certain public records is due to take effect in January.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-26882883313906081182008-09-14T12:18:00.000-04:002008-09-14T12:18:00.000-04:00Like the British, our government is run just perfe...Like the British, our government is run just perfect. We knows none better!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com