Access to information

A good request identifies the document sought as precisely as possible: title, date, body concerned, reference. If you do not know these details, describe the subject and the period, and the Secretariat will help you identify the item.

The request is sent by email to secretariat@oimap.example or by post to headquarters. It states the requester's contact details, the preferred reply language and, if necessary, the format required.

The Secretariat-General acknowledges receipt within five working days. It then identifies the department holding the document, which checks whether an exception applies: personal data, trade secrets, operational security or ongoing deliberations.

Where the request is broad, the Secretariat may invite the requester to narrow it down. The thirty-day period then runs from the clarified request, which avoids incomplete replies.

Some information cannot be disclosed. The personal data of staff, experts and users is protected, in accordance with the page on personal data. BIOP investigation files remain confidential for as long as operations are ongoing.

Where only part of the document is protected, the Organization discloses the remainder, redacting the passages concerned and stating the reason for each.

A refusal may be challenged within two months (indicative) before the Arbitration and Ethics Committee. The committee examines the file and issues a reasoned opinion to the Secretary-General, who reconsiders the decision.

The appeal is free of charge. It may be lodged by the requester personally, by a lawyer or by an association representing them.

Each year, the Secretariat publishes the number of requests received, their breakdown by theme and the average response time. This publication makes it possible to measure the transparency effort and to correct delays.

The most frequent requests concern accounts, procurement, certification procedures and decisions of the Executive Council. The most requested documents are then put online proactively.