CIAO DATE: 08/04

Access To Information: A Key To Democracy

Citizens and their leaders around the world have long recognized the risk of corruption. Corruption diverts scarce resources from necessary public services, and instead puts it in the pockets of politicians, middlemen and illicit contractors, while ensuring that the poor do not receive the benefits of this ÒsystemÓ. The consequences of corruption globally have been clear: unequal access to public services and justice, reduced investor confidence, continued poverty, and even violence and overthrow of governments. A high level of corruption is a singularly pernicious societal problem that also undermines the rule of law and citizen confidence in democratic institutions.

In addition, citizens around the world continue to struggle to meet their basic needs of food, clothing, and adequate shelter and to exercise their broader socio-economic rights. More than 1.2 billion people worldwide live on less than $1 per day, 1.7 billion are without access to clean water, and 3.3 billion people live without adequate sanitation facilities. Although nearly 150 counties have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Freedom House finds that 106 countries continue to restrict its citizenÕs important civil and political freedoms.

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