AG Riffath: Right to information is the cornerstone of state accountability

Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath, on Monday, described the right to seek and access information as the cornerstone of the accountability of the state, and urged state institutions to release as much information as possible to the public.

The Attorney General’s Office inaugurated its new website on Monday, coinciding with the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

In his speech during the virtual inauguration ceremony, Riffath said that the right to seek and access information is a fundamental right, reaffirmed by the Maldivian Constitution.

“The right to seek and access information is the cornerstone of the accountability of the state. In this age of information technology, information is the greatest asset, and also, the most powerful weapon,” he said.

Riffath said that while the Attorney General’s Office is legally obligated to guard confidential information pertaining to the state, he believes that it is crucial to release information linked with the interests of the public.

“Over the past two years, it has been a key objective of this office to release as much information as possible regarding an ongoing court case or a matter pertaining to legal counsel. We are doing this to improve transparency and accountability,” he said.

Riffath said that the right to seek and access information must be used for the protection of individual rights, as well as in the greater interest of the nation.

The inauguration of new website of the Attorney General’s Office was attended by former Attorney General and vice president of Bar Council Abdulla Muiz, who served as the chief guest.

The new website provides access to new legislatures the government plans on introducing, legislatures currently under revision, and legislatures which have been enacted to law. It also provides access to additional legal information, services provided by the Attorney General’s Office, and the Clemency Board run under the office.