From: Courrier Citoyen d'Europe <Civis@europarl.eu.int>
To: Walter Keim <walter.keim@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Freedom of information for Germany
Date: 11. July 2002

A/3732
GA


Dear Mr Keim,

We acknowledge receipt of your e-mail dated 18 April 2002, in which you write
to the European Parliament about the absence, in the german legislation, of a
general right of access to documents.

It is true that there is no such general right under german law. At federal
level some rules are contained in the Act of 25 May 1976 on administrative
procedure (Article 29 ot the Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz). In some "Lander"
there are constitutional provisions about access to documents which are
implemented by law, for instance the Act of the Land Brandenburg of 10 March
1998 on access to documents (GVB1 Nr.4 of 19 March 1998) and the Freedom of
Information Act of the Land Berlin (GVB1 Nr.45 of 15 October 1999).

The European Parliament, although it considers very important the freedom of
information and access to public documents, has no authority to interfere
with the legislation of Member States.


With kindest regards,


Jean-Louis A. COUGNON
Chef de division
Courrier du Citoyen
Head of division
Correspondence with the citizen

23. August 2002: My answer.

Result:

• 4. February 2004: Administrative Case VG 2 A 85.04: Walter Keim vs. Federal Republic of Germany http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/verwaltungsgericht-en.htm
• 12. November 2005: Cost of case € 770.- for 15 copies: http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/vg-051112-en.htm
• 21. November 2005: EU did not stress me: http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/051121eu.htm

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