Freedom of Information legislation important for BVI

Saturday, March 20, 2004

ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chairman of the British Virgin Islands Law Reform Commission (LRC) Mr. Ray Harris has declared that Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation is important for continuing democracy and good governance in the BVI.

Speaking recently during a public lecture, he stated that, when FOI legislation is enacted and brought into force in the Territory, it will give members of the public a general right of access to official Government information.

However, Mr. Harris cautioned that, under the legislation, certain Government information will not be subject to disclosure in order to protect essential public interests and private rights.

The Chairman contended that the legislation will reinforce democratic principles for more transparent governance; result in greater accountability of Government to its people; produce increased public influence on and participation in national decision making; and engender enhanced understanding of the functions and procedures of Government.

He noted that, up to this point, the BVI does not have enshrined in its Constitution a bill of rights with provisions relating to freedom of expression, even though the Universal Declaration of Human Rights applies to the Territory.

Article 19 of the Declaration specifies that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the liberty to hold opinions without interference and to impart information and ideas through any media.

Mr. Harris reported that the Commission has begun a series of public consultations with various communities as part of an ongoing process to receive feedback from the community before introducing legislation on Freedom of Information.

He emphasised that the main aim of the meetings is to obtain and record concerns and comments relating to the subject area from the widest possible cross section of residents in the Territory.

In addition, the LRC has been inviting submissions on Freedom of Information from members of the public, with a deadline for making these submissions of March 31. It is expected that the final report, with the accompanying proposed legislation, will be completed around August or September this year.

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