Palestinian Cabinet to consider new law providing greater access to government documents

A draft law on the right to access information has languished for years without being presented to the president's office, so supporters of the proposal have formed a coalition to press for movement on the measure.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (front C) stands with members of the new Palestinian government after they were sworn in at the Palestinian Authority headquarters following the removal of several members for alleged corruption, Ramallah, May 16, 2012. - REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman
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Ahmad Melhem
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — For years now, the Palestinian Cabinet has been sitting on a draft law about the rights of citizens and journalists to access government information. Some speculate the politicians fear relinquishing their grip on such information; others think the Cabinet has just been working on more important issues.

Parliament members say they have made efforts to approve the draft since 2005, when it was introduced to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and was approved in its first reading.

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