The Coalition for Supervision of Public Finances expressed, at a press-conference held in the Media Centre, its discontent over the fact that the newly adopted Law on Budget System didn’t include its amendments and was adopted without clear provisions that would ensure protection of public interest and access to information.

The Coalition for Free Access to Information (KSPI) supports the amendment to the Law on Changes and Amendments to the Law on Free Access to Information, submitted by the Serbian Ombudsman, which provides guarantees and protection to sources of information of public interest, so-called “whistle blowers”, making the fight against corruption and abuses of office, and realizations of human rights more efficient.

A public opinion survey on citizens views on European integration processes in Serbia, conducted in May 2009, shows that 61 percent of the citizens support Serbian membership into the EU. In spite of being slightly lower than last year, the figure remains at the high level of support of between 60 and 70 percent after 2002.

The Serbian Information Society, in cooperation with the Centre for e-Governance Development in SEE, UNDP and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), on the occasion of the International Day of Telecommunications and Information Society, organize today, May 19, 2009, a regional conference “Towards Information Society in South East Europe: The Role of eDemocracy”, at the Continental Hotel in Belgrade.

According to the Survey on citizens’ perceptions on the implementation of the right to free access to information and the evaluation of the holders of information about the implementation of the right, conducted by FOSIM, 63 percent of Macedonian citizens are not aware there was a Law on Free Access to Information of Public Character.

The Citizens of Sarajevo (Gradjani Sarajeva) informal group and the Protest.ba Initiative called on the members of Sarajevo City Council, the City Administration and the MPs in the Cantonal Assembly to stop claiming sole ownership over the Vijećnica Building, adding that no decision on the future use of the Vijećnica is possible without prior consultation with the citizens.

The Coalition for Free Access to Information appealed to the Skupština of the Republic of Serbia (the Parliament) to not ignore the constitutional right of the citizens to start independent legislative initiatives, regardless of the will of political parties and the state institutions.