UZBEKISTAN

Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan
"ON GUARANTEES AND FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION"

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Karimov
Tashkent, 24 April 1997

Article 1

The aim of the law

This law regulates relations arising in excercising a person's constitutional right freely and without hindrance to seek, receive, study, pass on and disseminate information.

Article 2

Legislation on guarantees and freedom of access to information

The legislation on guarantees and freedom of access to information consists of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, this law and other legislative acts. Relations in the sphere of guarantees and freedom of access to information in the Republic of Karakalpakstan are also regulated by the legislation of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Article 3

Guarantees of the access to information

Each citizen is guaranteed a right to have access to information. The state protects everybody's right to seek, receive, study, pass on and disseminate information.

Article 4

Main principles of the freedom of access to information

The main principles of the freedom of access to information are following: publicity, accessibility, openness and trustworthiness of information.

Article 5

Enquiring information

Everybody has a right by himself or through his lawful representatives to apply in order to receive information.

Article 6

Ways of enquiring and term of considering the enquiry

One can enquire information both in writing and orally. The written enquiry shall containe surname, name, patronymic and address of a person enquiring, and name information being requested or its nature. The written enquiry shall be registered. The enquiry shall be answered as soon as possible, but not later than after 30 days since the date of the enquiry, if the legislation does not envisage the other. The oral enquiry should be answered, if possible, immediately. In case an organization or an official does not have information asked for, they are obliged within seven days since the enquiry is received to infrom about this the person who has enquired and name him an organization or an official having the information.

Article 7

Ensurance of the access to information

State bodies, self-government bodies, public organizations, enterprises, establishments and officials are obliged to ensure that everybody has an opportunity to familiarise himself with documents, resolutions and other materials to do with his rights and rightful interests. The access to information shall be provided through publication and dissemination of corresponding materials.

Article 8

Payment for information provided

Information to do with rights and rightful interests of a person enquired it shall be provided free of charge. Other information can be charged for by agreement between the parties.

Article 9

Iformation which cannot be provided

State bodies, self-government bodies, public organizations, enterprises, establishments and officials cannot provide information containing state or other protected by the law secrets.

Article 10

Confidentiality of a source of information

The mass media have no right to devulge the source of information or the author who uses a pen-name without their consent. The source of information or the author can be devluged only under a court decision.

Article 11

Responsibility for trustworthiness of information

The mass media are obliged to check authenticity of information published and together with the source of information are responsible as is envisaged by the law for its trustworthiness.

Article 12

The right to appeal

Action or inaction of state bodies, self-government bodies, public organizations, enterprises, establishments and officials which limits the citizens' right to receive information can be appealed against in court.

Article 13

Responsibility for violating the right for information

Persons guilty of violating the right for information are subject to sanctions under legislation.

Article 14

International treaties in the sphere of guaranteeing the freedom of access to information

If an international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan establishes rules other than those envisaged in this law, then the rules of that international treaty will apply.