Asia

Access to Information Commission of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Territory: Afghanistan
Continent: Asia
Scope: Federal
Competence: ATI / RTI only
Year established: 2014
Numebr of staff: 51
Relevant Laws:
The right to information is guaranteed in Article 50th of constitution, for more info please check the link.
Activities:

তথ্য কমিশন (Information Commission)
Bangladesh
Head of authority: Mr Martuza Ahmed
Mr. Martuza Ahmed joined as Chief Information Commissioner on 18th January, 2018. He was Secretary to The Ministry of Information of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh from 2013 to 2017.
He joined Bangladesh Civil Service in 1983 and served as a responsible government official over 30 years.
He represented Bangladesh as elected member of IPDC of UNESCO from 2014 to 2015. He completed Masters in English from University of Dhaka.
Territory: Bangladesh
Continent: Asia
Competence: ATI/RTI only
Year established: 2009
Numebr of staff: 76
Relevant Laws
Activities:
বার্ষিক প্রতিবেদন ২০১৮ / Annual report 2018
Contact details:
Website: www.infocom.gov.bd
- Email:cic@infocom.gov.bd

היחידה הממשלתית לחופש המידע
Israel
Head of authority: Shlomi Bielawsky
Shlomi Bielawsky was appointed Head of the Governmental Freedom of Information Unit in October 2021. He has a first degree in law and philosophy and a second degree in law. He is a lawyer by profession. Most of his career he served in the public sector.
Mr. Bielawsky is committed to transparency values as an essential foundation of democracy. He believes in a practical and balanced approach towards Freedom of Information challenges.
In his eyes, there is always another step, may it be major or minor, that authorities may take to increase transparency.
In English: Freedom of Information Unit
Continent: Asia
Competence: Privacy / Data Protection and ATI/RTI only
Jurisdiction: Federal
Year established: 2011
Numebr of staff: 9
Relevant Laws
The Freedom of Information act, 1998
Freedom of Information Regulations, 1999
The Freedom of Information Regulations (Fees), 1999
The Freedom of Information Regulations (Availability of information on the Environment), 1999
Activities:
Contact details:
Address: 2 Bank of Israel st., Jerusalem, Israel
Website: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/freedom_of_information_justice
- Phone:+972733927069
- Email:foiu@justice.gov.il

Freedom of Information – Information Commissioner’s Office, Republic of Maldives
Maldives
Head of authority: Ahmed Ahid Rasheed
Ahmed Ahid Rasheed is the Information Commissioner of the Maldives. Prior to being appointed to this position in September 2021, he worked at Transparency Maldives, Transparency International’s local chapter in Maldives, as their Governance Manager. Rasheed has been working in promoting access to information since he joined Transparency Maldives in 2013. His work in this area included advocating for the enactment of a strong access to information law, stronger enforcement of the law, and in raising awareness amongst the public of this right. His work in other areas includes advocating for protections of whistleblowers, migrant worker rights, and asset declarations of public officials. Prior to this he worked as Legal Officer at the Anti-Corruption Board. Rasheed holds an LLB (Hons.) Law Degree from Staffordshire University, UK.
Continent: Asia
Competence: ATI / RTI only
Jurisdiction: National
Year established: 2014
Numebr of staff: 18 personnel
Relevant Laws
https://icom.mv/uploads/English%20translation%20of%20the%20Right%20to%20Information%20Act.pdf
Activities:
2021 FOI, Information Commissioner’s Office, Maldives’ Annual Report
https://icom.mv/uploads/Annual%20Report%202021.pdf
Contact details:
Address: G. Billoorijehige, Male’, Maldives
Website: https://icom.mv/
- Phone:+(96)03010990
- Email:info@icom.mv

राष्ट्रिय सूचना आयोग (National Information Commission)
Nepal
Head of authority:
Mr Mahendra Man Gurung (Chief Information Commissioner)
Ms Kamala Oli Thapa Information Commissioner
Mr. Ratna Prasad Mainali Information Commissioner
Territory: Nepal
Continent: Asia
Competence: ATI / RTI only
Jurisdiction: Federal
Year established: 2007
Relevant Laws
https://www.nic.gov.np/page/right-to-information-act-2007-in-english
Activities:
Latest annual report 2019/2020
Contact details:
Address: Devinagar-10, Baneshor Kathmandu, Nepal
Website: www.nic.gov.np
- Email:info@nic.gov.np

Punjab Information Commission
Punjab (Pakistan)
Head of authority: Mahboob Qadir Shah
He served as District & Sessions Judge in a number of Districts of Punjab, Solicitor of GOP and Registrar of Lahore High Court for about 2/3 years. He also served as Secretary Red Crescent Punjab.
Territory: Punjab
Continent: Asia
Competence: ATI / RTI only
Scope: Provincial
Year established: 2014
Number of staff: 43
Relevant Laws
Activities:
Latest report is being published to be presented before the Provincial legislature. it would be available in couple of weeks
Contact details:
Address: 64-Nursery Lane, Lawrence Road Lahore Pakistan
Website: https://rti.punjab.gov.pk/
- Phone:+04299205794, +04299205775
- Email:info.rti@punjab.gov.pk

Freedom of Information - Program Management Office (FOI-PMO)
Philippines
Head of authority: Krizia Casey P. Avejar
Krizia Casey Avejar heads the Freedom of Information – Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) as the FOI Program Director. Concurrently, the Chief of the Communications and Capacity Development Division of the FOI-PMO.
With over 8 years of experience in public service, Ms. Avejar was part of the pioneer team who established the freedom of information office in the country under the leadership of the FOI Philippines founder Atty. Kristian R. Ablan.
She earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration at De La Salle College of St. Benilde and a Master of Management in Business Management from the University of the Philippines Manila.
Continent: Asia
Competence: ATI / RTI only
Jurisdiction: Federal / Republic
Year established: 2017
Number of staff: 40 personnel and 1 official
Relevant Laws
https://www.foi.gov.ph/resources
Activities:
https://www.foi.gov.ph/downloads/2021_FOI_Annual_Report_01.pdf
Contact details:
Address: J.P. Laurel Street, Malacañang, San Miguel, Manila, 1005, Philippines
Website: https://www.foi.gov.ph/