Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted the Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa in 2019. The Declaration establishes and affirms various principles for anchoring the rights to freedom of expression and access to information as guaranteed in Article 9 of the African Charter, which recognises the right to receive information as well as the right to express and disseminate information. 

The following clauses of the  Declaration of Principles are particularly significant to data access:

• • Principle 29 on pro-active disclosure
  • Principle 30 on exercising the right of access to information
  • Principle 37 on universal internet access
  • Principle 39 on internet intermediaries and compliance with human rights standards, particularly subclauses 3 and 6

• Access the Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa here.