(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 1 June 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release: EIB POLICY FAILS TO DELIVER TRANSPARENCY SAYS ARTICLE 19 ARTICLE 19 has published a Memorandum analysing the European Investment Bank’s public information policy, revamped in 2002 (1). Despite its stated commitment to openness, the Bank’s review of its policy failed to […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 1 June 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:
EIB POLICY FAILS TO DELIVER TRANSPARENCY SAYS ARTICLE 19
ARTICLE 19 has published a Memorandum analysing the European Investment Bank’s public information policy, revamped in 2002 (1). Despite its stated commitment to openness, the Bank’s review of its policy failed to deliver the promised openness, and the policy fails in important respects to meet international standards in this area.
ARTICLE 19 welcomes the Bank’s promise of openness, as reflected in a commitment in the policy to respect European Union standards, including those set out in Regulation 1049 of 2001, which sets out binding disclosure standards for other European Union institutions, such as the European Parliament, Council and Commission.
In practice, however, the Bank’s policy, confusingly spread out over 4 different documents, fails in important respects to meet the standards set by Regulation 1049 or more generally under international law. Our Memorandum identifies a number of serious concerns with the policy, including the following:
– The policy is not guided by the principle of maximum disclosure and applies only to resident legal or natural persons.
– The policy fails to set out a clear obligation to publish key information, including about information requests, instead simply providing a list of Bank publications.
– The regime of exceptions is excessive; it includes broadly defined exceptions and it fails to provide for the disclosure of information in the overall public interest.
– There is no right of appeal to a binding, independent body.
– The policy does not provide for protection for whistleblowers.
ARTICLE 19 urges Bank authorities to consider reviewing the policy again with a view to bringing it into line with European and international standards, as outlined in the recommendations contained in our Memorandum.
ENDS
1. The Memorandum is available on the ARTICLE 19 website at: http://www.article19.org/docimages/1777.doc.
