Mexico
In June 2003, the Transparency Law came into affect, providing access to the Federal government's documents and records.
Records are held under 3 classes
- Public Information - on which is placed a transparency obligation (i.e. they must be published) or requirement to provide access on request.
- Classified - government information withheld for up to 12 years, (an index of which will shortly be available.)
- Confidential - information held by or on individuals or private entities.
The transparency obligations to publish are extensive and include:
- A Directory of Officials, detailing their salaries and fringe benefits
- Official subsidies (e.g. grants; loans etc) detailing the amount and beneficiary
- Government Bids and Contracts.
Information is recovered for free- (the Mexican government takes the view that the cost of generating and retrieving information is already covered by the tax payer) and costs are restricted to reproduction and mailing.
The Act is enforced by IFAI. It has a Board of 5 Commissioners who elect their own Chairman for a term of 2 years. IFAI has unrestricted access to Government documents when conducting investigations including those held as Classified.
Requests for information can be made:
- At the agency office
- By mail to the agency
- Via IFAI
IFAI has established a web based system (SISI) where individuals can make their request and this is then transmitted to the relevant authority but with the applicants name and address withheld. This is seen as an important development to overcome deficiencies in the mailing system and also to guard against potential victimisation.
So far 27000 requests for information have been made in 6 months of which 93% through SISI. 700 appeals have been received of which IFAI required the information to be released in 86% of cases.