Ammon News - The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) Tuesday called for promoting the right to access information due to its key role in promoting and safeguarding human rights.

In a press release marking International Day for the Universal Access to Information, the centre said that responding to individuals' applications to access information would lead to increased transparency and help in combatting corruption.

Active participation in civil and political life and the management of public affairs require a smooth flow of information so that individuals can adopt influential positions, engage in public debates and influence decision-making, it pointed out.

This right, it stressed, would help protect economic and social rights through creating awareness among individuals and familiarizing with decision-making and policy-making approaches.

The NCHR said that the coronavirus pandemic came to emphasize the importance of free access to information to learn about the shortcomings and defects, particularly in the health and education fields, the distribution of social services and others.

It urged the speedy passage and enforcement of draft legislation on the right to access information.