Specific principles and recommendations concerning the implementation of individual's right to seek and access public information are defined in recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Although not binding on the States, these recommendations aim to promote harmonized policies across the Council or Europe region. The Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers Rec(81)19 on Access to Information Held by Public Authorities introduced the minimum standards on freedom of information for the Member States. In 2002 the Committee of Ministers adopted Recommendation R(2002)2 on Access to Official Documents, which sets forth basic principles for application and processing of inquiries concerning the access to official documents, as well as cases when access to official documents can be legitimately refused. The Recommendations specifically address the procedures for the review of refused applications by an independent body established in accordance with the law.

Analysis provided by David Sandukhchyan, Director, Internews Armenia Center for Information Law and Policy, OSCE/ODIHR consultant.