The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria and the Open Society Justice Initiative held the final expert meeting to finalise the Draft Global Principles on National Security and the Right to Information from 5 to 6 April 2013, in Pretoria, South Africa.

The meeting brought together over 60 individuals, most of whom had previously participated in consultations held in Europe, Asia, North America and three sub-regions in Africa, in the last two years. Participants included senior security sector officials, academics, civil society and access to information experts-including three Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Organisation of American States and the United Nations.

Download the current version of the Draft Principles

During the two-day meeting, participants were divided into several working groups, which discussed extensively specific aspects of the Draft Principles. Though a complete consensus was not reached, there was by and large agreement on most suggested amendments, thus ensuring substantial improvements to the Draft Principles. It is expected that the Draft Principles will be finalised by 10 May 2013. Thereafter, endorsement of the Principles will be sought from intergovernmental experts, professional associations, civil society, academia, independent experts and others.