The Law Association of T&T says it is supporting the call for public consultation on the proposed amendments to the Freedom of Information Act
In a statement yesterday the association said the FOIA has become a cornerstone in civil society’s effort to hold public authorities to account.
The association said any such substantive changes ought to be considered after the views of key stakeholders are
widely canvassed and thoroughly ventilated.
LATT is one of several organisations which called on Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to withdraw Clause 7 of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Tax Amnesty, Pensions, Freedom of Information, National Insurance, Central Bank and Non-Profit Organisations) Bill, 2019 to allow the public ample opportunity to review, discuss and comment on its proposal to amend the Freedom of Information Act, Chap. 22:02.
The organisations include the American Chamber of Commerce of T&T (AMCHAM T&T), Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers Banking, T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association,Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry, Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute,Fishermen & Friends of the Sea,National Trade Union Centre (NATUC), Network of NGOs for the Advancement of Women Network of Rural Women Producers of T&T.
The organisations said, "We are firmly of the view that public consultation is essential to any change to the Freedom of Information Act and especially as pertains to Clause 7. The clause proposes to extend from thirty days to ninety (90) days the period within which a public authority is required to inform an applicant of its decision in relation to a request for information. It also introduces into the request process an additional period of ninety (90) days for the Attorney General to approve the decision of any public authority that intends to refuse a request under the FOIA. We are of the view that such far-reaching alterations of the Freedom of Information Act should not proceed without full public discussion and consultation." See Page A22
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