Shqip
Srpski
The Agency calls on institutions to enhance accountability and transparency through proactive publication of public documents.
On the occasion of International Day for Universal Access to Information, the Agency for Information and Privacy (AIP) has initiated informative activities, including a roundtable discussion with representatives from Kosovo’s Independent Institutions. The aim is to promote the right to access public documents, with a particular emphasis on the proactive publication of these documents.
At the opening of Public Document Access Week, the Agency’s Commissioner, Ms. Krenare Sogojeva Dermaku, emphasized that accountability and transparency in public institutions are fundamental pillars of democracy. The Agency remains committed to not only addressing complaints directed to it but also advancing the proactive publication of information and public documents.
Commissioner Sogojeva Dermaku stated that as part of enhancing transparency and accountability, the Agency has initiated a Transparency Program aimed at encouraging public institutions to publish documents proactively. This initiative seeks to directly reduce bureaucratic requests for access to public documents, underscoring that discussions with public institutions are not mere formalities but essential for realizing a right guaranteed by law, the Constitution, and protected by international conventions.
During the discussions, the importance of public institutions fulfilling their legal obligations to conduct a damage assessment was highlighted. This assessment evaluates the potential harm to protected interests against the public interest in publication before deciding to refuse the proactive publication of public documents and before rejecting requests for access to public documents.
For the importance of transparency and accountability at the meeting spoke Albina Shabani Rama—Chair of the Basic Court in Pristina, Visar Krasniqi—Member of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, Elza Bajrami—Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina, Gëzim Shala from the Kosovo Institute for Justice, Yll Buleshkaj—Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, Kushtrim Hodaj—Executive Chief of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate, Nazim Rrahimi—Chair of the ARKEP Board, Neime Binaku Isufi—Chair of the Competition Authority, Osman Vishaj—Chair of the KRPP Board, Lyra Osmani—Office of the General Inspectorate, Sami Hajrullahu from the Probation Service, Burim Dinarama, Acting Director of the Civil Aviation Authority, and representatives from the Kosovo Tax Administration.
On the first day of Public Document Access Week, statistics and comparative reports on complaints received by the AIP for access to public documents for the years 2023 and 2024 were presented, highlighting that from January to August 2024, the number of complaints has increased. It was noted that in the two-year comparison, while there were 552 documented complaints in 2023, a total of 500 complaints have been registered from January to August 2024, reflecting requests for access to public documents of various types, including financial, administrative, public procurement processes, and other documents produced, maintained, and stored by public institutions.
The activities of Public Document Access Week will continue on September 26 and 27 with roundtable discussions involving ministries, regulatory agencies, and municipalities. Representatives from non-governmental organizations, donors, and the media will participate in all events. Public Document Access Week is oriented towards activities aimed at promoting the right to access public documents, with particular emphasis on the proactive publication of these documents as an essential mechanism for enhancing transparency and institutional accountability
