Firas Al-Darabah, Director-General of the Department of the National Library and Information Commissioner, met with a Palestinian delegation in Amman on Wednesday. The meeting was part of a training program organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), focusing on Jordan's expertise in access to information. Mr. Al-Darabah stated, "We are willing to share our achievements and administrative challenges in implementing transparency laws." He added that "the right to access information is a cornerstone of good governance and public trust in state institutions." This engagement showed the deep ties between Jordan and Palestine, with Amman affirming its readiness to share its experiences in implementing transparency laws.
Jordan's Framework Explained
The meeting specifically addressed Jordan's regulatory framework and its practical experience in securing the right to access information. Firas Al-Darabah, Director-General of the Department of the National Library and Information Commissioner, noted the fundamental importance of this right. Mr. Al-Darabah emphasized that "the right to access information is a cornerstone of good governance and public trust in state institutions," a principle actively upheld in Jordan.
During the discussions, Mr. Al-Darabah delivered a full presentation outlining Jordan’s Law on Securing the Right to Information. His presentation covered the law's historical development and the classification system used for documents within the Jordanian framework. Additionally, he detailed the structure of the Information Council, specifying the responsibilities of the Information Commissioner. Mr. Al-Darabah further explained the legal basis for indexing systems and the established procedures for submitting and resolving complaints related to information access. This detailed overview provided the Palestinian delegation with a clear understanding of the operational mechanisms and legal underpinnings of Jordan's information access framework.
Palestinian Goals and Draft Law
The Palestinian delegation included representatives from the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission, the General Secretariat of the Palestinian Cabinet, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology. The program aims to assist the Palestinian Authority in establishing a strong legal framework for the right to information, transparency, and governance. Jamal Qash, deputy head of the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission and leader of the delegation, presented an overview of a draft Palestinian law on the right to information, demonstrating their proactive approach to this critical area. Mr. Qash stated, "The visit aimed to study Jordan’s enforcement mechanisms, administrative steps, and institutional practices to help shape a full Palestinian legal framework aligned with international best practices." This exchange of knowledge is key for the Palestinian Authority as it moves towards greater transparency and accountability.
Context and Future Cooperation
Firas Al-Darabah, Director-General of the Department of the National Library and Information Commissioner, showed the deep ties between Jordan and Palestine. He affirmed Amman’s readiness to share its experiences, stating, "We are willing to share our achievements and administrative challenges in implementing transparency laws." Jamal Qash, deputy head of the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission and leader of the delegation, explained the purpose of their visit. Mr. Qash stated, "The visit aimed to study Jordan’s enforcement mechanisms, administrative steps, and institutional practices to help shape a full Palestinian legal framework aligned with international best practices." The OECD training program, which facilitated these important discussions, was held from July 13 to 15, providing a focused period for intensive learning and dialogue. The meeting concluded with an exchange on the challenges associated with applying information-access laws and institutional disclosure procedures, as well as exploring future opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Jordanian and Palestinian public institutions. This forward-looking discussion aims to foster continued collaboration and mutual support in advancing good governance.
