2004 freedominfo.org Global Survey Results - Liechtenstein
Text from the freedominfo.org Global Survey: Freedom of Information and Access to Government Records Around the World, by David Banisar (updated 12 May 2004)

The Information Act (Informationsgesetz) was adopted in May 1999 and went into force in January 2000. (1) It allows any person to obtain files from state and municipal organs and private individuals who are conducting public tasks. Responses must be responded to in a "timely" manner. It does not apply to documents under preparations. There are exemptions for protecting decision making, public security, disproportionate expenditures, privacy, and professional secrets. Documents are released based on a balance of interests test. Appeals can be made to a court.

The law also sets rules on the openness of meetings of the Parliament, commissions and municipalities.

Under the Data Protection Act 2002, individuals have a right to access and correct their personal information held by public or private bodies. (2) It is enforced by the Data Protection Commissioner.

Liechtenstein signed the Aarhus Convention in June 1998. Access to environmental information is through the Information Act.

Under the Archive Act 1997, documents are available 30 years after creation. Documents containing personal information are closed for 80 years.

Notes

1. Gesetz vom 19 Mai 1999 über die Information der Bevölkerung (Informationsgesetz)

2. Data Protection Act of 14 March 2002 No. 55 issued on 8 May 2002.