Burkina Faso: The Right to Access Information - an Essential Human Right

The report explores the right to freedom of information, and specifically the right to access information held by public authorities in Burkina Faso. It looks at existing legal and other obstacles to free access to information. It looks into recent human rights violations where "official reluctance to provide information has prevented those responsible from being held accountable, and has denied the victims' relatives the right to truth."

Topics discussed:

• Obstacles to the right to access information
• The right to access information
• Allegations of trafficking arms and diamonds

This report states that there is a "culture of secrecy" that remains prevalent within the government, therefore members of the public, including the media, are routinely denied access to official information that they are entitled to receive in a democracy. Recommendations by ARTICLE 19 are included in the report stating goals of good governance are effective.