Openness and participation

The overarching argument of this paper is that parliamentary digital transformation is a relatively underfunded area of work, but a vitally important one in achieving the very common overarching goals of open, accountable, inclusive and participative government. Improvements in how parliamentary digital capacity building can be done better are possible with better strategy, funding and cooperation, and when parliaments are enthusiastic and willing to take the opportunities offered to them to improve themselves.

Over the last 10 years an increasing number of governments have adopted new laws and practices that constrain civic space – the set of conditions that allow civil society and individuals to organise, participate and communicate freely and without discrimination, and in doing so, influence the political and social structures around them. These constraints have taken a wide variety of forms, and affect a diverse range of actors, but many have targeted formal civil society.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy, within the framework of EU-funded Media Dialogue project, conducted an analysis of the legal framework for the Right to Information (RTI) in Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, focusing on the Law on Access to Information (ATI), as well as the Law on Guarantees and other related laws. The analysis was carried out by international expert Toby Mendel with the support of local expert Nargiza Abdraimova.