The Second Analytical Symposium on Access to Information and its role in the promotion of democracy and human rights in Afghanistan was conducted by CSHRN
28-June- 2010- Kabul- Afghanistan By: Seyar Lalee The second analytical symposium on access to information and its role in the promotion of democracy and human rights in Afghanistan organized on 28-June-2010 by Civil Society and Human Rights Network. The goal of the symposium was to create a constructive dialogue for common understanding on access to information with some members of parliaments, civil society and media organizations. The symposium was divided into tow parts. The first part of the program allocated for official speeches on the importance of access to information in Afghanistan. The representatives of Afghan government, parliament, board of Civil Society and Human Rights Network, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, UNAMA and Civil Society and Human Rights Network secretariat delivered official supportive speeches on access to information program in Afghanistan. The second part of the Symposium was conducted to discuss three key articles by Afghan members of the parliament; The first article was presented by Mr. Abas Noyan member of National Assembly of Afghanistan. The article (access to information role on good governance) dealt with access to information as a useful tool for fostering good governance culture in Afghanistan . Mr. Abas main argument were the followings; Access to information strengthens the organic relationship between citizens and states, both citizens and state understand each other by having information about state's source and abilities. Access to information is a civil rights of citizens. By having access to information, the citizens exercise its civil rights to decide properly about his or her daily life and future. Access to information is a responsibility of public administration. By disseminating of information public administration creates transparency and accountability for its mechanisms. At the end of Mr. Noyan presentation the participants debated his article. Generally the participants of symposium supported the arguments which…