A specialised training course for spokespeople and information officers of public institutions, on access to official information and personal data protection, was held on 5 and 6 March 2025 in Sarajevo. Special attention was paid to the specific role of information officers in balancing the public’s right on access to information with the obligation to protect privacy and personal data, in line with European standards.

Educational sessions covered current international standards and the domestic framework, as well as challenges in upholding freedom of information. Practical sessions also included analyses of practical cases, including scenarios involving the media seeking access to information, as well as the nuances of processing requests involving personal data.

These sessions aimed to equip information officers with expertise and skills needed to navigate complex situations where transparency and privacy intersect.

Free access to information is recognised as a cornerstone of democratic societies as it facilitates public scrutiny of the government’s work, promotes transparency, and enhances the credibility and integrity of public institutions. Bosnia and Herzegovina has ratified the  Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (CETS No. 205), also known as the Tromsø Convention. Being the first binding international legal instrument recognising the right to access official documents, regardless of the requester's status or motives, the Convention provides a strong foundation for strengthening the domestic framework and ensuring unimpeded access to information in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The specialised training is a core component of the Council of Europe's Training Module on Human Rights Monitoring and Reporting, Freedom of Expression, and Access to Information. This continuous training program is designed to promote best practices in in safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring access to information.

This training was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression as part of the project “Enhancing institutional capacities on freedom of expression and information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx)”, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded through the voluntary contribution of Sweden via the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

 Learn more:  Main page: Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (Tromsø Convention)