July 22 Commission asks the Justice Department for an exception

Alexandra Bech Gjørv wants to protect information gathered for the July 22 Commission. Photo: Fred Gjestad

The July 22 Commission has asked the Department of Justice for an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act, to protect those who will provide information to their report.

Much of the work of the July 22 Commission will include confidential information, but the Commission is also covered by the general rules on secrecy and confidentiality. This may mean that both individuals and the media can have access to parts of their ongoing work.

In a letter to the Justice Department Monday, manager Bech Gjørv requested a special law be made so that the Commission is given the opportunity to protect their sources of information better.

“Through discussions, including with representatives of those directly affected and survivors, we see that the current rules on disclosure could lead to many deciding not to provide the Commission with information that is essential for us to solve the problem according to our mandate,” says Gjørv.

She is also concerned about the privacy of those who come to the Commission with information.

Source: Aftenposten

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