Open Letter to World Bank President on Disbandment of ATI Unit

We, the undersigned organisations and campaigners working on freedom of information issues, are concerned by news that the World Bank has significantly downgraded its capacity to pursue a global right to informationThe legal right to request information from the government allows the public to follow government decision-making, participate in ensuring better decisions, and hold the government accountable. Techni... agenda at a time when the World Bank’s role in this area is needed more than ever before. We are concerned that both the decision itself and the diminished capacity of the Bank to engage on this critically important issue will send the unfortunate message to governments of developing countries around the world that the issue of transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More and, in particular, access to information, is no longer important or a donor priority. 

The full letter is transcribed below and is available in the original PDF here.

Dear President Kim,

RE: Downgrading Freedom of Information Programme at the World Bank
African Platform on Access to Information (APAI)
Campaign Secretariat Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264 61 232975 Fax: +264 61 248016
http://www.africanplatform.org

June 6, 2016

We, the undersigned organisations and campaigners working on freedom of information issues, are concerned by news that the World Bank has significantly downgraded its capacity to pursue a global right to information agenda at a time when the World Bank’s role in this area is needed more than ever before. We are concerned that both the decision itself and the diminished capacity of the Bank to engage on this critically important issue will send the unfortunate message to governments of developing countries around the world that the issue of transparency and, in particular, access to information, is no longer important or a donor priority.

We are also concerned about this development for the following reasons:

1. Reversal of Progress

The World Bank, through its Access to Information Programme, has played a key role in the passage and implementation of access to information laws around the world. In Africa, where the process was slow, the active support of the World Bank to governments and civil society organisations has resulted in the fast tracking of adoption of access to information laws from five countries in the 2010 to 18 in 2016. Closure of the World Bank’s Access to Information Programme will not only hinder adoption and implementation of access to information laws but could also engender a reversal of progress.

2. Threat to Sustainable Development GoalsOGP countries are experimenting with open government innovations to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16+ which includes peaceful, just and inclusive societies...

In support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the World Bank and other development partners will be providing developing countries with loans and grants. In his review of challenges to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Secretary General Ban Ki Moon noted the role that failed commitments and lack of transparency had played. It is for this reason that civil society organisations from around the world vigorously and successfully campaigned for inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr... of citizens’ access to information in the Sustainable Development Goals. The need for citizens to access information on development financing and locally generated revenue is vital for the attainment of the SDGs. The World Bank’s decision sends a negative signal in this regard.

3. Escalate Burden of Corruption on Ordinary People

In the absence of access to information and participation in programmes funded by governments and development partners, including the World Bank, the levels of corruption in Africa and other developing countries will undoubtedly escalate. We have noted that, by accessing public information and monitoring development projects, citizens are able to hold governments accountable and to contribute to the realisation of development outcomes. These efforts require the support of the World Bank’s technical expertise and influence to create maximum impact. The World Bank cannot abandon citizens at this time.

4. Nothing about us without us

Over the past few years, multilateral institutions have moved towards being more inclusive of citizens through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals, Global Partnership for Social AccountabilityTransparency of public service delivery is not enough on its own; giving citizens opportunities to monitor progress on the ground and hold their governments accountable improves the quality of these s..., Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More and Open ContractingA transparent procurement process, known as open contracting, increases competition, improves public service delivery, and ensures governments better value for their money. Technical specifications: C..., African Union Agenda 2063 among others. Through various consultations, civil society organisations and citizens have contributed to the formulation and shaping of the character of these initiatives. It is unfortunate that in taking away this critical support the World Bank has not consulted civil society. This violates a principle aptly outlined by African citizens at the recently concluded Open Government Partnership Regional Meeting in South Africa, in the phrase: “nothing about us without us”.

5. Wasting Important Work

The access to information implementation guidelines, which the World Bank is developing and on which it has had extensive consultations with civil society, are critical to strengthening both the adoption and implementation of access to information laws. How will the World Bank promote the use of these guidelines without dedicated or expert staff? Through the Open Government Partnership citizens have negotiated key access to information commitments in respective National Action Plans. How will the World Bank support their realisation without a Unit focusing on this important agenda?

The World Bank’s role in standard setting on key transparency and integrity initiatives in development programmes has been unparalleled. At a time when discussions on SDG indicators on access to information as set out in Goal 16 target 10 are high on the global agenda, the World Bank’s leadership and expertise is needed. Indeed the World Bank has already been actively engaged in the development of indicators for measuring Goal 16 target 10 on access to information which is crucial for success. Where does this disbandment leave the process?

6. Retrospective impact to existing loans and other facilities

Should the World Bank decide not to alter its course, we are concerned about the retrospective impact this may have for existing loans and other facilities that incorporate ATI as a trigger, or at the very least a condition of the loan. Will the decision to downgrade the Freedom of Information Programme have the retrospective effect of negating the ATI element of those deals going forward? Or will those countries still be obliged to report on their progress in ATI? Further who will monitor the progress as the ATI unit is to be disbanded?

Mr. President, the fight against poverty is about people. This fight cannot be won without people being able to access information. We strongly recommend that, rather than downgrading the Access to Information Unit, the World Bank should strengthen it so as to be able to continue the important work that the World Bank has been doing in this area.

Signed:

1. Africa Freedom of Information Centre, Kampala, Uganda
2. African Platform on Access to Information, Windhoek, Namibia
3. Alianza Regional por la Libre Expresio´n e Informacio´n, Chile
4. Federation of African Journalists, Dakar, Senegal
5. Media Institute of Southern Africa, Windhoek, Namibia
6. Africa Freedom of ExpressionJournalists and activists are critical intermediaries connecting public officials with citizens and serving as government watchdogs, and their rights and safety need to be protected. Technical specifi... Exchange, Accra, Ghana
7. The Access Initiative (TAI), Washington, DC
8. Media Rights Agenda, Lagos, Nigeria
9. Open Democracy Advice Centre, Cape Town South Africa
10. Tanzania Citizens Information Bureau, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
11. Never Again Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
12. Namibia Media Trust, Windhoek, Namibia
13. Public and Private Development Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
14. Human RightsAn essential part of open government includes protecting the sacred freedoms and rights of all citizens, including the most vulnerable groups, and holding those who violate human rights accountable. T... Network for Journalists, Kampala, Uganda
15. Centre for Media Freedom, Casablanca, Morocco
16. Human Rights Network Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
17. Observatoire d’Etudes et d’Appui a` la Responsabilite´ Sociale et Environnementale, Democratic
    Republic of Congo
18. Centre for Law and Democracy, Halifax, Canada
19. Article 19, London, United Kingdom
20. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, New Delhi, India
21. Media Foundation for West Africa, Accra Ghana
22. Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation, Lilongwe, Malawi
23. Tanzania Constitutional Forum, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
24. Uganda Road Sector Support Initiative, Kampala Uganda
25. Burundi Journalists Union, Bujumbura, Burundi
26. The Leadership Forum, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
27. Social Economic Research and Development Centre, Abuja Nigeria
28. Tanzania Coalition on DebtOpenly disclosing information about government debt enables informed decision-making, mitigates the risk of financial instability, and allows citizens to hold their governments accountable for respons... and Development (TCDD), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
29. Africa Centre for Integrity and Anti-corruption Studies, Kampala, Uganda
30. Rural Women Development Initiative (RUWODI), Bagamoyo – Tanzania
31. YouthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... First Initiative, Iloilo City, The Philippines
32. Vanuatu Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu, South West Pacific.
33. Ikeoha Foundation, Enugu Nigeria
34. Sahkar Social Welfare Association Pakistan
35. Integrating Livelihoods thru Communication Information Technology for Africa, Kampala, Uganda
36. Global Integrity, Washington, DC
37. International Trust, London, United Kingdom
38. Association for Promotion Sustainable Development, Hisar, India
39. National NGO Forum, Kampala, Uganda
40. OpenTheGovernment.org, Washington, DC
41. Collectif 24, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
42. CODHOD, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
43. OPELE Radio and Te´le´vision Labari, Niamey, Niger
44. Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding, Monrovia, Liberia
45. Access Info Europe, Madrid, Spain
46. Access to Information Programme, Bulgaria
47. Anticorruption Coalition Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
48. Transparency International Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
49. HakiTaarifa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
50. Jordan Transparency Centre, Amman, Jordan
51. Transparency International, Ukraine
52. Open Knowledge, Ireland
53. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Georgia
54. Democracy EducationAccountability within the public education system is key to improving outcomes and attainment, and accountability is nearly impossible without transparent policies and opportunities for participation ... Centre (DEMO) Mongolia
55. Kosovo Center for Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption – KUND 16, Kosovo
56. Anticorruption Trust of Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
57. Ghana Anticorruption Coalition, Accra Ghana
58. Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, Monrovia, Liberia
59. Open Mind, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
60. Federation of Environmental and Ecological Diversity for Agricultural Revampment and Human Rights, Cameroon
61. Paralegal Association, Zambia
62. Transparency International Zambia
63. Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Islamabad, Pakistan
64. Children’s Rights Education, Dr. Salua Nassabay. Germany
65. Programa Juventud Siglo XXI, Eduardo Vergara. Mexico
66. Triumphant Hand of Mercy Initiative, THOMI AFRICA, South Africa
67. Mongolian Women’s Employment Supporting Federation, Mongolia
68. New Haven Cooperative Society, Benin, Nigeria
69. Youth Vision Sound, Arusha, Tanzania
70. Transparencia por Colombia
71. Fundacio´n Ciudadani´a y Desarrollo, Ecuador
72. Citizens United to Promote Peace & Democracy in Liberia
73. Centro de Estudios Ambientales y Sociales (CEAMSO), Paraguay
74. United Earth of Men, Democratic Republic of Congo
75. Federation of Environmental and Ecological Diversity for Agricultural Revampment and Human Rights, Kumba, Cameroon The Governance, Cape Town, South Africa
76. Leadership Initiative for Youth Empowerment, Nigeria
77. Terra 1530, Moldova
78. Local Empowerment for Good Governance, Mombasa, Kenya
79. Socio-Economic Empowerment for Good Governance, Mombasa, Kenya
80. Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Liberia
81. AfroLeadership, Yaounde´, Cameroon
82. Ghana Right to Information Coalition
83. FIDA Kenya
84. Fundacipon Gobierno Abierto Colombia
85. Asociacio´n Centro Ciudadano de Estudios para una Sociedad Abierta (ACCESA), Costa Rica
86. Youth Vision Sound of Tanzania
87. Twaweza East Africa, Tanzania
88. Code for Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
89. African Network of Centers for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR), Kenya
90. National Union of Somali Journalists, Mogadishu, Somalia
91. POS Foundation, Accra Ghana
92. Policy Alert, Nigeria
93. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Africa Office, Ghana
94. Sonora Ciudadana AC
95. Liberia Freedom of Information Coalition, Monrovia
96. Gobierno Abierto Centro de Pensamiento
97. Fundacio´n Pro Acceso, Chile
98. Instituto de Prensa y Libertad de Expresio´n (IPLEX), Costa Rica
99. Espacio Pu´blico, Venezuela
100. Fundacio´n Violeta Barrios de Chamorro (FVBCH), Nicaragua
101. Asociacio´n Nacional de la Prensa (ANP), Bolivia
102. Asociacio´n por los Derechos Civiles (ADC), Argentina
103. Arti´culo 19, Brasil
104. Accio´n Ciudadana, Guatemala
105. Centro de Archivos y Acceso a la Informacio´n Pu´blica (CAinfo), Uruguay 
106. Fundamedios, Ecuador
107. Fundar – Centro de Ana´lisis e Investigacio´n, Me´xico
108. Instituto de Derecho y Economi´a Ambiental (IDEA), Paraguay
109. Crea Think, Mexico
110. Causa Natura A.C. Mexico
111. South Africa History Archive (SAHA), Johannesburg South Africa
112. Construyendo Organizaciones Civiles Transparentes A.C. Mexico
113. The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Secretariat
114. Institute for Public Policy Research, Windhoek, Namibia
115. Namibia Women’s Health Network, Windhoek, Namibia
116. Sister Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
117. Citizens for an Accountable and Transparent Society (CATS)
118. Insight Magazine, Windhoek, Namibia
119. Legal Assistance Centre, Windhoek, Namibia
120. Access To Information In Namibia (ACTION) Coalition, Windhoek, Namibia
121. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter, Lusaka, Zambia
122. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Namibia Chapter, Windhoek, Namibia
123. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho Chapter, Maseru, Lesotho
124. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter, Harare, Zimbabwe
125. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, Windhoek, Namibia
126. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana Chapter, Gaborone, Botswana
127. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Angola Chapter, Luanda, Angola
128. Benin Sante´ et Survie du Consommateur, Benin
129. Transparency International Sierra Leone
130. Frederico Links, Namibia
131. Zoe Titus, Namibia
132. Hilya Nekwaya, Namibia

Contact:

Gilbert Sendugwa
Coordinator and Head of Secretariat Africa Freedom of Information Centre Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 414 533554
Fax: +256 414 533554
Email: gilbert@africafoicentre.org

CC: Mr. Diop Makhtar, Vice President, Africa
CC: Dr Deborah Wetzel, Senior Director for the Governance Global Practice