Open Society Justice Initiative Intervenes in Armenian Freedom of Information Suit

On October 16, the Open Society Justice Initiative filed written comments with the European Court of Human Rights in a freedom of information case against Armenia. The case, Geraguyn Khorhurd Patgamavorakan Akumb v. Armenia, involves the alleged failure of an Armenian election authority to provide information on its decision making processes, as well as data pertaining to the campaign contributions and expenses of certain political parties.

The Justice Initiative was granted leave by the court to intervene as a third party in the case and submit comments on the general principles involved. The brief argues that the existence of a right to information is well established in European and international law, and urges the court to find that Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights establishes a right of access to information held by public authorities. The brief also elaborates on the close links between access to information, free expression, and political participation.