Council of Europe unhappy with Austria's FOI law

Europe February 19, 2013

Council of Europe unhappy with Austria's FOI law

VIENNA (AP) — A top European human rights body says Austria has a ways to go in ensuring that its freedom of information laws are transparent and properly enacted.

The Council of Europe's conclusion is contained in a report issued Tuesday by GRECO, a Council agency fighting corruption Europe. GRECO says it "very much regrets" that Austria has not followed up on its recommendation of clarifying when exactly the state can deny requests for access to information and how such denies can be appealed.

The report says Austrian authorities do not feel clarification is needed. The 47-nation Council is separate from the European Union but works with it on some issues. The report also expressed concerns that a new Austrian law on immunity from prosecution for members of parliament may be unclear.

Subjects
- General news
Locations
- Austria,
- Europe,
- Western Europe
Organisations
- European Union

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