Aarhus Convention

The UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, usually known as the Aarhus Convention, was signed on June 25, 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus. It entered into force on 30th October 2001. As of November 2004, it has been signed by 40 (primarily European) countries and ratified by 30. It has also been ratified by the European Union, which has begun applying Aarhus-type principles in its legislation, notably the Water Framework Directive .

The Aarhus Convention grants the public rights regarding access to information and public participation and access to justice. It focuses on interactions between the public and public authorities.

Compare Freedom of information legislation.

External Links

• UNECE Aarhus Convention website
• UNECE Aarhus Convention Clearinghouse website