Relationships regarding freedom of information are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Freedom of Information," which defines the jurisdiction of information holders—state and local self-government bodies, state institutions, budget-funded organizations, as well as public organizations and their officials—and the procedure, forms, and conditions for obtaining information.

What is Freedom of Information?

Freedom of information is the exercise of the right to seek information in the manner established by law and to receive it from an information holder.

Who Can Apply to Receive Information and How?

Every person has the right to review the information they seek and/or submit an inquiry to an information holder in the manner established by law to obtain that information.

Foreign citizens can exercise the rights and freedoms provided under the RA Law "On Freedom of Information" only in cases specified by law and/or international agreements.

When Can Freedom of Information Be Restricted?

Freedom of information may be restricted in cases provided for by the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Armenia.

When Can the Provision of Information Be Refused?

An information holder, except for the cases defined in Article 8, Part 3 of the RA Law "On Freedom of Information," shall refuse to provide information if it:

• Contains state, official, banking, or commercial secrets
• Violates the privacy of personal and family life, including the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations, postal, telegraphic, and other communications
• Contains preliminary investigation data not subject to publication
• Discloses data requiring access restrictions due to professional activity (medical, notarial, or attorney-client privilege)
• Violates copyright and/or related rights

If a portion of the requested information contains data whose provision is subject to refusal, information shall be provided regarding the remaining portion.

When Can the Provision of Information NOT Be Refused?

The provision of information cannot be refused if it:

• Relates to emergency situations threatening the safety and health of citizens, as well as natural disasters (including officially forecasted ones) and their consequences
• Presents the general state of the economy of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the actual situation in the fields of environmental protection, healthcare, education, agriculture, trade, and culture
• Would adversely affect the implementation of state programs for the socio-economic, scientific-technical, and spiritual-cultural development of the Republic of Armenia if withheld

How to Complete a Written Inquiry

A written inquiry must state the applicant's name, surname, citizenship, place of residence, work, or educational institution. The written inquiry must be signed (in the case of a legal entity: its name and location).

When is a Written Inquiry Not Answered?

According to the RA Law "On Freedom of Information," a written inquiry is not answered if:

• It does not contain all the applicant data required by law
• The data regarding the author's identity proves to be false
• It is the second application submitted by the same person requesting the same information within the last 6 months, except for the case provided in Article 10, Part 4 of the RA Law "On Freedom of Information"

The applicant is not required to justify the inquiry.

Timelines and Methods for Responding to a Written Inquiry

Inquiry responses are provided within the following timelines:

• If the information specified in the written inquiry is not published, a copy is provided to the applicant within 5 days after receiving the inquiry.
• If the information specified in the written inquiry is already published, information regarding the medium, location, and date of publication is provided to the applicant within 5 days after receiving the inquiry.
• If providing the information specified in the written inquiry requires additional work, the information is provided to the applicant within 30 days after receiving the application. The applicant must be notified in writing within 5 days of receiving the inquiry, stating the reasons for the delay and the final deadline for providing the information.

The response to a written inquiry is provided in the format specified in the request. If no format is specified and it is impossible to respond in that manner within the statutory timeframe, the response is provided on a material carrier acceptable to the information holder.

Appealing a Refusal to Provide Information

A refusal to provide information may be appealed to an authorized state administration body or to the courts.