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Uruguay

Access to Information Law (UY0108)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: Uruguay Action Plan 2018-2020

Action Plan Cycle: 2018

Status: Active

Institutions

Lead Institution: Unit for Access to Public Information (UAIP).

Support Institution(s): GA Group, UAIP, AGESIC, the Academia (School of Law and Social Sciences, School of Information and Communication), Legislative Branch, UAIP Consultative Council, URCDP

Policy Areas

Access to Information, Legislation & Regulation, Legislative, Open Parliaments, Participation in Lawmaking, Public Participation, Right to Information

IRM Review

IRM Report: Uruguay Design Report 2018-2020

Starred: Pending IRM Review

Early Results: Pending IRM Review

Design i

Verifiable: Yes

Relevant to OGP Values: Access to Information , Civic Participation

Potential Impact:

Implementation i

Completion: Pending IRM Review

Description

Draft a proposal to reform Law No. 18 381 on Access to Public
Information
Commitment start and end date: September 2018 to December 2019.
Institution or actor responsible for the implementation: Unit for Access to Public Information
(UAIP).
New Commitment.
Theme: Access to Public Information
Commitment description
What is the commitment? To draft a proposal to reform Law No. 18 381 on the Right of
Access to Public Information through a participatory process.
What is the problem that the
commitment will address?
Ten years after passing this Law, difficulties have been detected by
the UAIP (control body), as well as by the civil society and multiple
sectors of society, which hinder the exercise of the right and are
directly related to the scope of the law, the exceptions and the
institutional design of the control body, and that must be analyzed
in a participatory and consensual manner in order to achieve a
reform proposal that improves the protection and guarantees for
the exercise of the legal right.
How will the commitment
contribute to solving the problem?
By eliminating obstacles detected in the current implementation of
the text of the law in order to improve its scope and application. At
the same time, it would respond to a demand that arises from the
Open Government process in Uruguay, through the mechanism of
round-table discussions.
OGP value to which this
commitment will contribute.
The commitment contributes to transparency, allowing a better and
more effective exercise of the Right of Access to Public
Information, contributing in turn to Citizen Participation, considering
that the proposal will be carried out in a participatory and
consensual manner.
Additional Information
Equal participation will be promoted in round-table discussions and integration of the gender
perspective in the reform proposal that is drafted.

Objectives and/or milestones
Description of objectives and/or milestones
Start date End date
To carry out at least three round-table discussions that will
address different relevant aspects of the law that must be
improved with the participation of public agencies, the civil
society and the academia.
September 2018 December 2019
To prepare a reform proposal based on the outcome of the
round-table discussions.
December 2019 December 2019
Contact Information
Name of the responsible person Mariana Gatti, J.D.
Title, Department UAIP Coordinator
Email address and phone number mariana.gatti@agesic.gub.uy
Name(s) of responsible technician(s) Mariana Gatti, J.D.
Title, Department UAIP Coordinator
Email address and phone number mariana.gatti@agesic.gub.uy
Other actors involved
State Actors GA Group, UAIP, AGESIC, the Academia
(School of Law and Social Sciences,
School of Information and
Communication), Legislative Branch,
UAIP Consultative Council, URCDP
CSOs, private sector, multilateral organizations, working groups Open Government Network, UNESCO,
OAS, RELE, RTA, GA Group

IRM Midterm Status Summary

Acceso a la Información Pública

10. Elaboración de propuesta de reforma de la Ley N° 18.381 de Acceso a la Información Pública

Texto del compromiso como aparece en el plan de acción:

Elaborar una propuesta de reforma consensuada y a través de un proceso participativo de la Ley N° 18.381 de Derecho de Acceso a la Información Pública.

Los hitos de este compromiso son:

  • Realizar al menos tres mesas de diálogo que abordarán diferentes aspectos relevantes de la norma que deben ser mejorados con participación de organismos, sociedad civil y academia.
  • Elaborar una propuesta de reforma en base al resultado de las mesas de diálogo.

Nota editorial: El texto completo del compromiso se encuentra en el Cuarto Plan de Acción Nacional de Gobierno Abierto de Uruguay 2018-2020, disponible aquí: https://goo.gl/XAMbNr

Fecha de inicio: Septiembre 2018           Fecha de término: Diciembre 2019  

Contexto y objetivos

A 10 años de aprobada la Ley N° 18.381 de Acceso a la Información Pública [43] la Unidad de Acceso a la Información Pública (UAIP), la sociedad civil y otros sectores de la sociedad, han detectado algunos obstáculos en la implementación de la ley que entorpecen el ejercicio del derecho de acceso a la información. Estos obstáculos tienen relación directa con el alcance de la norma, las excepciones y el diseño institucional del órgano de control.

Este compromiso buscará elaborar en forma participativa una propuesta de reforma de la ley que mejora la protección y las garantías para el ejercicio del derecho. Durante la Mesa de Diálogo de Transparencia, Anticorrupción y Ética Pública [44] llevada adelante en el marco de la elaboración del plan de acción en junio de 2018, la sociedad civil y el Gobierno plantearon tres aspectos centrales para la propuesta de reforma de la Ley N° 18.381:

  • Fortalecer el órgano de control, la Unidad de Acceso a la Información Pública (UAIP), a efectos de que tenga más potestades para evaluar a los organismos públicos.
  • Reformar los artículos 9 y 10 para restringir excepciones, o procurar que la vía judicial no tenga costo.
  • Ampliar el alcance de la ley a sociedades anónimas, partidos políticos y organizaciones sociales que administren fondos públicos.

La persona referente de CAinfo [45], comentó que es muy preocupante el tema de las restricciones, reserva y confidencialidad. El espíritu de la ley es que esto debería ser una excepción, pero en algunos casos se ha convertido en una regla, como el tomarse los 20 días para contestar. Otra de las barreras se establece cuando el organismo da la negativa a la solicitud y hay que litigar, porque eso implica un costo. CAinfo tenía entre sus objetivos dar esa asesoría gratuita, pero actualmente eso no le resulta posible por falta de recursos. No tienen claridad sobre cómo solucionar este problema, salvo que hay que buscar la forma de que sea menos oneroso y que no desestimule el continuar con el proceso. A estas barreras se suman la falta de sanciones y la necesidad de mayor capacitación de los funcionarios públicos.

Las acciones definidas en este compromiso son lo suficientemente específicas como para que su cumplimiento se pueda verificar objetivamente. De acuerdo con el alcance del compromiso, las investigadoras del IRM consideran que su implementación tendrá un impacto menor en la política de acceso a la información pública, que podrá convertirse en moderado o transformador una vez que se apruebe e implemente la ley

Siguientes pasos

Una vez que se concrete la reforma de la ley y esta se apruebe, queda por delante su implementación, lo que implicará una labor de difusión y capacitación hacia actores del sector público y privado. Se recomienda, por lo tanto, trabajar en la cocreación de esas acciones con la sociedad civil y llevarlas como un compromiso conjunto a un próximo plan de acción.

[45] Entrevista realizada a Daniel Lema, CAinfo, 8/3/2019

Commitments

  1. Implementation of the National Water Plan

    UY0099, 2018, Access to Information

  2. Environmental Complaints' Management System

    UY0100, 2018, Capacity Building

  3. Monitoring and Reporting on Climate Change

    UY0101, 2018, Access to Information

  4. Observatory on Gender-Based Violence Against Women

    UY0102, 2018, Access to Information

  5. Gender-Based Violence Open Data

    UY0103, 2018, Access to Information

  6. Human Trafficking Prevention

    UY0104, 2018, Capacity Building

  7. Complaint Reception and Processing System

    UY0105, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  8. Electoral Process Data

    UY0106, 2018,

  9. National Transparency Index

    UY0107, 2018, E-Government

  10. Access to Information Law

    UY0108, 2018, Access to Information

  11. Gender Perspective to Access to Information

    UY0109, 2018, Access to Information

  12. State Web Portal

    UY0110, 2018, Access to Information

  13. Access to Judicial Processes

    UY0111, 2018, E-Government

  14. Public Hearings on Video

    UY0112, 2018, E-Government

  15. Transparency of Statistical Information of the Judicial Branch

    UY0113, 2018, Access to Information

  16. Open Municipalities

    UY0114, 2018, Access to Information

  17. Canelones' Participation System

    UY0115, 2018, Capacity Building

  18. Student Participation

    UY0116, 2018, Capacity Building

  19. Open Government Culture

    UY0117, 2018, Capacity Building

  20. National Dance Plan

    UY0118, 2018, Gender

  21. Human Rights Education Plan

    UY0119, 2018, Dispute Resolution & Legal Assistance

  22. Human Rights Report

    UY0120, 2018, Civic Space

  23. Sustainable Development Strategy

    UY0121, 2018, Public Participation

  24. Gender and Youth Perspective in Rural Areas

    UY0122, 2018, Gender

  25. Observatory for Equality and Non-Discrimination

    UY0123, 2018, Gender

  26. Improve Diversity in Government

    UY0124, 2018, E-Government

  27. Indicators of Welfare and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

    UY0125, 2018, Access to Information

  28. Social Programs

    UY0126, 2018, Access to Information

  29. National Plan for Persons with Disabilities

    UY0127, 2018, Access to Justice

  30. Open Cadastre

    UY0128, 2018, Access to Information

  31. Budget Transparency Portal

    UY0129, 2018, Access to Information

  32. National Energy Efficiency Plan

    UY0130, 2018, Access to Information

  33. Industry, Energy and Mining Data Publication

    UY0131, 2018, Access to Information

  34. Information on Seized Goods and Foreign Trade Operations

    UY0132, 2018, E-Government

  35. Accountability for the Commitments of the Departmental Government of Rivera

    UY0133, 2018, Access to Information

  36. Quality Indicators of the Institutes of Highly Specialized Medicine

    UY0134, 2018, E-Government

  37. Open Hospital Discharge Records

    UY0135, 2018, Access to Information

  38. Open Data from Internet of Things

    UY0136, 2018, Access to Information

  39. Cybersecurity Strategy

    UY0137, 2018, E-Government

  40. Data for Social Development

    UY0088, 2016, Access to Information

  41. Citizen Access Point

    UY0089, 2016, Capacity Building

  42. Publishing Services and Devices in the Area of ​​Domestic Violence

    UY0090, 2016, Access to Information

  43. Adoption of Standard Open Contracting

    UY0091, 2016, Access to Information

  44. Financial Information Accessible and Open

    UY0092, 2016, Access to Information

  45. Budget Transparency Portal

    UY0085, 2016, Capacity Building

  46. Access to Information and Open Data in Rivera

    UY0093, 2016, Access to Information

  47. Starred commitment Citizen Monitoring Air Quality

    UY0097, 2016, Access to Information

  48. Data and Information Montevideo

    UY0098, 2016, Access to Information

  49. Departmental Policy Open Data

    UY0094, 2016, Access to Information

  50. Starred commitment Departmental Policy Open Government

    UY0095, 2016, Access to Information

  51. System Monitoring Utility Citizen

    UY0096, 2016, Capacity Building

  52. Closeness Government: Council of Ministers Open

    UY0059, 2016, E-Government

  53. National Youth Advisory Council

    UY0060, 2016, Capacity Building

  54. Strengthening the Culture of Citizen Participation in Uruguay (Phase2)

    UY0061, 2016, Capacity Building

  55. Promote and Strengthen the Autonomy of the Consultative Council of Civil Society Set up Under Law 19.122

    UY0062, 2016, Capacity Building

  56. Observatory Institutional Information and Statistical Data on Socio-Educational Policy in the Inisa

    UY0063, 2016, Capacity Building

  57. Consultations and Dialogue on International Instruments

    UY0064, 2016, Capacity Building

  58. Follow the Recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

    UY0066, 2016, Capacity Building

  59. Nominations of Experts in the Universal System of Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (UN) and Inter-American System

    UY0067, 2016, Capacity Building

  60. Dialogue for the Analysis of the Impact of Information Society on Human Rights

    UY0065, 2016, Capacity Building

  61. Access to Information in the Judiciary

    UY0068, 2016, Access to Information

  62. Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

    UY0069, 2016, Capacity Building

  63. Environmental Monitoring Points

    UY0070, 2016, Access to Information

  64. Uruguay Species List

    UY0071, 2016, Access to Information

  65. Starred commitment National Water Plan

    UY0072, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  66. Postal Dialogue

    UY0073, 2016, Capacity Building

  67. Opening Data from the National Directorate of Industry

    UY0074, 2016, Access to Information

  68. Publication of Energy Data

    UY0075, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  69. Transparency and Open Data Education

    UY0076, 2016, Access to Information

  70. Formalize Building Maintenance in Schools Full Time: a Participatory Alternative

    UY0077, 2016, Capacity Building

  71. Inclusion and Continuing Education of People with Disabilities

    UY0078, 2016, Capacity Building

  72. Publication of Statistical Information on Socio-Educational Activities for Social Inclusion of Persons Deprived of Liberty

    UY0079, 2016, Access to Information

  73. Art Education: Dissemination of Educational Proposals and Preparation of a Conceptual Framework for Improving Public Policy

    UY0080, 2016, Capacity Building

  74. Dialogue and Information on Care System

    UY0081, 2016, Access to Information

  75. Information System for Monitoring Health Goals

    UY0082, 2016, Access to Information

  76. Starred commitment Right of Access to Public Information

    UY0083, 2016, Access to Information

  77. Open Data and Statistics

    UY0086, 2016, Access to Information

  78. Who Controls What? Online Catalog of the Functions and Powers of Existing Control State Agencies

    UY0087, 2016, Access to Information

  79. Monitoring of Non-Ionizing Radiation and Publication of Information

    UY0084, 2016, Capacity Building

  80. Strengthening the Culture of Citizen Participation in Uruguay

    UY0019, 2014, Capacity Building

  81. Open Government: Everyone's Business and All

    UY0020, 2014, Capacity Building

  82. Open Government Funds

    UY0021, 2014, Public Participation

  83. E-Collaboration Citizen: Tramites.Gub.Uy

    UY0022, 2014, E-Government

  84. Affirmative Action for People of African Descent: Transparency and Accountability

    UY0023, 2014, Capacity Building

  85. Improvement Plan Instances of Citizen Participation and the Link with Citizens Through the Inter Tables Public Social Policies

    UY0024, 2014, Capacity Building

  86. Urban Development Program "Barrio De Las Artes"

    UY0025, 2014, Capacity Building

  87. Dialogue and Consultation System

    UY0026, 2014, Public Participation

  88. Promotion and Dissemination of the Right of Access to Public Information

    UY0027, 2014, Access to Information

  89. E-Access: National System Requirements for Access to Public Information

    UY0028, 2014, Access to Information

  90. Responses to Requests for Access to Public Information

    UY0029, 2014, Access to Information

  91. Accessible Wide Board

    UY0030, 2014, Capacity Building

  92. Single Point of Access to Statistical Information Available in the State

    UY0031, 2014, E-Government

  93. Open Government Data

    UY0032, 2014, Access to Information

  94. Open Data for Policy Analysis

    UY0033, 2014, Access to Information

  95. Starred commitment Cadastre Open

    UY0034, 2014, E-Government

  96. Publication of Microdata Social Programs in Open Format

    UY0035, 2014, Access to Information

  97. Dissemination of Information for the Exercise of the Rights of Users of Health

    UY0036, 2014, Access to Information

  98. Open Data Aeroportuarios

    UY0037, 2014, Infrastructure & Transport

  99. Transparency in the Lifecycle of Projects Uruguayan Law

    UY0038, 2014, Access to Information

  100. Observatory Public Procurement

    UY0039, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  101. Starred commitment Single Sign-State Suppliers

    UY0040, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  102. National Public Software

    UY0041, 2014, Capacity Building

  103. Transparency in the Management of Cultural Projects

    UY0042, 2014, E-Government

  104. Transparency in the State Project Portfolio

    UY0043, 2014, E-Government

  105. Simplification Program and Online Procedures

    UY0044, 2014, E-Government

  106. Processing ID documents (CI) Abroad

    UY0045, 2014, Citizenship & Immigration

  107. Interactive Travel Itineraries

    UY0046, 2014, E-Government

  108. Certificate Issuing Service MiPyme Online

    UY0047, 2014, E-Government

  109. Map of the Education Offered by the National Administration of Public Education

    UY0048, 2014, E-Government

  110. New Web Portal for the Ministry of Economy and Finance

    UY0049, 2014, Access to Information

  111. Spatial Data Infrastructure

    UY0050, 2014, Capacity Building

  112. Starred commitment Citizen Points

    UY0051, 2014, E-Government

  113. Integration of the National Resource Guide with Geographic Information System

    UY0052, 2014, E-Government

  114. Made for Youth

    UY0053, 2014, E-Government

  115. Daily Closing Quotes Central Bank of Uruguay

    UY0054, 2014, E-Government

  116. Mobile Government

    UY0055, 2014, E-Government

  117. Teleimagenología Service - Salud.Uy Program

    UY0056, 2014, E-Government

  118. Quality Virtual Interaction with Citizenship

    UY0057, 2014, E-Government

  119. Starred commitment Integrated Management System Municipal Claims

    UY0058, 2014, E-Government

  120. Access to Public Information

    UY0001, 2012, Capacity Building

  121. Strengthen the Culture of Transparency

    UY0002, 2012, Access to Information

  122. National Transparency Award

    UY0003, 2012, Capacity Building

  123. E-Citizen Participation

    UY0004, 2012, Open Regulations

  124. Starred commitment Open Government Data

    UY0005, 2012, Access to Information

  125. Digital Literacy Plan

    UY0006, 2012, Capacity Building

  126. Purchasing Agency and Contracting

    UY0007, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  127. Government Resource Planning (GRP)

    UY0008, 2012,

  128. A System of Electronic Record

    UY0009, 2012, E-Government

  129. Uruguay Concursa

    UY0010, 2012, Labor

  130. National Public Software

    UY0011, 2012, E-Government

  131. Starred commitment Online Procedures and Services

    UY0012, 2012, E-Government

  132. E-Funds Citizens

    UY0013, 2012, Capacity Building

  133. Incorporate Electronic Pscs

    UY0014, 2012, E-Government

  134. Uruguayan State Portal

    UY0015, 2012, E-Government

  135. Processing System Common Passports at Consular Offices of the Republic

    UY0016, 2012, Citizenship & Immigration

  136. Apostille Convention

    UY0017, 2012,

  137. Starred commitment Electronic Receipt Tax

    UY0018, 2012, E-Government

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