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Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:59:22 +0100
Dear Colleague,
The Campaign has published a report documenting the long delays by the
Information Commissioner's Office in investigating freedom of
information complaints. The report analyses nearly 500 formal decision
notices issued by the ICO in the 18 months to 31 March 2009.
It finds
that on average it took 19.7 months from the date of a complaint to
the ICO to the date on which the ICO's decision was issued. It also
shows that 46% of cases took between 1 and 2 years from complaint to
decision notice and 30% took more than 2 years to a decision. The
report also found that on average the ICO's investigation into a
complaint did not begin until 8 months after the complaint had been
received. In 28% of cases, there was a delay of more than a year
before the investigation began.
The report is published in two parts, a report plus a table providing
data on all 493 decision notices considered in the study:
Delays in Investigating Freedom of Information Complaints report - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/foidelaysreport.pdf
Table of decision notices 1.10.07 to 31.3.09 - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/foidelaystable.pdf
The accompanying press release is here - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/foi030709pr.html
Best wishes,
Katherine Gundersen
Research Officer
*************************************
Campaign for Freedom of Information
Suite 102
16 Baldwins Gardens
London
EC1N 7RJ
Website: http://www.cfoi.org.uk
Email: admin at cfoi.demon.co.uk
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:43:29 -0700
Hi Ray,
Baby elephants are ripped away from their mothers and
forced into a life of abuse and humiliation that is
reinforced with bullhooks, whips, and electric prods.
Don't allow animal abuse to continue at the circus! -
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnU3/zJeX/qMBD
These are the elephants forced to perform with Ringling
Bros. Circus, which is scheduled to set-up near New York
City in America this summer. New York City officials
recently announced that Taconic Investments has donated
land for Ringling Bros, which should help save the suffering
amusement district.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has
contacted the city and Taconic to inform them of Ringling's
lengthy history of animal abuse, but they refuse to
sacrifice this moneymaking opportunity for animal rights.
Join people from around the world who are speaking out
against animal abuse
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnU3/zJeX/qMBD
Abusing circus animals for our entertainment is
unnecessary and just plain wrong. Thank you for
showing that you do not support this inhumane practice.
Respectfully yours,
Karina M.
Care2 Petition Site Team
P.S. Every voice counts! Tell your friends and family to
stand up for the circus animals too
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnU4/zJeX/qMBD
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:15:17 +0100
The Campaign for Freedom of Information has welcomed the Prime
Minister's announcement, in his statement on constitutional renewal on
Wednesday, that the Freedom of Information Act would be extended to
additional bodies and that the 30 year period before old official
papers are made public would be reduced to 20 years.
However, the
Campaign expressed serious concern at Mr Brown's announcement that new
exemptions to the FOI Act would be introduced for Cabinet Papers and
for information relating to the Royal Family.
The Campaign's press release is available here -
www.cfoi.org.uk/foi100609pr.html
Best wishes,
Katherine Gundersen
Research Officer
*************************************
Campaign for Freedom of Information
Suite 102
16 Baldwins Gardens
London
EC1N 7RJ
Website: http://www.cfoi.org.uk
Email: admin at cfoi.demon.co.uk
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:08:49 -0700
Save Lions From Carbofuran Pesticide Poisoning!
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnJG/zJDE/qMBD
Dear Ray,
Lions in Kenya are dying horrific deaths from carbofuran
pesticide poisoning, a toxic chemical used on crops.
Unfortunately, once one animal has been poisoned, its
carcass attracts other wildlife, poisoning animals and
predators up the food chain -- including the iconic and
beautiful African lions.
Urge Kenya to enact a ban on carbofuran pesticide and
protect these majestic, wild lions:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnJG/zJDE/qMBD
Lions are a vulnerable species that depend on a wide
variety of wildlife to survive. With a diet that ranges
from wildebeest and hippos to smaller animals such as
hares and birds, they are at tremendous risk of poisoning
from carbofuran pesticide.
While the Kenyan government has stopped allowing sales
of the pesticide in their country, some members of Kenya's
parliament still oppose a ban of the pesticide.
As home to the most iconic and celebrated wildlife on the
African continent, it is important that Kenya ban this
poison immediately.
Please take action today. Send your message to Kenya's
Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, and urge Kenya to
protect lions and other wildlife from carbofuran pesticide:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnJG/zJDE/qMBD
Thanks for taking action!
Natasha
Care2 Campaign Team
P.S. - The population of African lions has already
declined by 30 to 50 percent over the past two decades,
due to human population growth, agricultural expansion,
hunting and poaching by livestock ranchers. We need your
help to protect their future - please take action
today!
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnJG/zJDE/qMBD
Forward to a friend >> http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnJg/zJDE/qMBD
Read the petition >> http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnJG/zJDE/qMBD
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 07:07:41 -0700
Hi Ray,
In the region of Terengganu, Malaysia, a stretch of
forest filled with endangered wildlife is disappearing.
Put an end to the unnecessary logging that's killing
endangered wildlife! >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMsT/zJBn/qMBD
In preparation for a new hydroelectric project,
the Terengganu state government is logging and then
flooding the forest. But here's the twist: They are
logging three times more land than is needed.
As this valuable forest disappears, so will many
species that inhabit the area, such as the endangered
Sumatran rhinoceros and the Malayan tiger.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
has deemed 94 plant and animal species in the region
threatened by extinction. In the face of reckless
logging, these species have little hope of survival.
Urge the Malaysian prime minister to protect the
wildlife and stop the unnecessary logging of the
high-value forest in the Terengganu region >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMsT/zJBn/qMBD
Sincerely,
Karina M.
Care2 Petition Site Team
P.S. Spread the word! Tell your friends and family to
take action too!
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMsu/zJBn/qMBD
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 15:39:03 -0700
Tell Iceland to Stop Whale Hunting Now!
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMPi/zJb5/qMBD
Dear Ray,
It's a terrifying week for whales. Iceland's whaling
season began on Tuesday, despite international outcry
against the bloody hunt. Whalers plan to kill up to 100
minke whales this season.
Tell Iceland's Minister of Fisheries to reduce this
year's whale hunt quotas immediately, and work toward a
full ban on whaling in Iceland:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMPi/zJb5/qMBD
Clearly Iceland is sensitive to the outrage against
whaling -- particularly its impact on the country's
tourism industry. Whaling is banned close to Reykjavik
harbor, and the first whales are usually killed in a bay
just outside of the capital city.
But clearly a more effective effort to protect Iceland's
tourism industry and popular whale watching businesses
would be to ban the brutal whaling program completely.
That is why we need your help. These majestic beauties of
the ocean deserve to live in peace. Please sign the
petition opposing Iceland's whaling program:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMPi/zJb5/qMBD
Then, help us reach our ambitious goal of sending 50,000
petition signatures to Iceland by telling 5 friends to
join you. You can use our tell-a-friend tool, or simply
send them a personal note with this link:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/endwhaling
Thank you for speaking out for these peaceful giants,
Natasha
Care2 Campaign Team
P.S. - Iceland is one of only two countries worldwide
that still authorizes commercial whaling. About half of
the whale meat from this year's hunt is intended for
domestic sales in Iceland, while the rest of the quota
will be sold to Japan. Please take action today:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMPi/zJb5/qMBD
Forward to a friend - http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMPH/zJb5/qMBD
Read the petition - http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMPi/zJb5/qMBD
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 16:36:22 +0100
Stop an unfair trade deal in it's tracks
Dear Ray,
The European Union is currently negotiating a trade deal behind closed doors with a group of Central American countries. This trade deal could increase poverty and inequality in a region where 40% of the population live off less than $2 a day; with women being the worst affected.
WDM has been asked for help by Norma Maldonado, a trade campaigner from Guatemala. You can watch her statement on our website. Norma is concerned that the EU's promotion of free trade and privatisation will lead to the continued exploitation of women in her country.
Fortunately we now have an opportunity to stop this trade deal in its tracks. Several Central American governments are expressing reservations about the deal and we need to take action to demand European negotiators change their approach.
You can email the negotiation team with our new online action and demand that the EU puts the breaks on this deal. We've tracked down the email addresses of the senior negotiators who aren't used to being in the public eye so that your messages will have even greater impact.
Please add your voice to this action today and help stop this travesty from taking place. Help us expose these secret trade deals and demand the EU works in a transparent, accountable and fair way.
Best,
Beverley Duckworth
WDM head of campaigns
Please take action now:
http://dotm1.net/t.aspx?l=1795903&i=572835037
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:31:19 +0000 (UTC)
Dear Ray,
Earlier this month, a report made public that polio has spread out of Nigeria to re-infect six neighboring countries that had eliminated the disease. Unfortunately, polio still remains endemic in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Support the global eradication of polio, so no child will know its crippling effects ever again:
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLJ9/zj2h/qMBD
In the 1980s, polio paralyzed at least 1,000 children
every day worldwide. But today, thanks to extensive
international effort, the world is almost polio-free.
Unfortunately, polio still remains endemic in
Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.
As long as a single child remains infected, children
in all countries are at risk. Countries of the Horn of
Africa -- like Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda --
are at risk of the spread of polio. The outbreak in
this region means there are concerns that polio, if
left unchecked, could begin to affect other polio-free
countries and reverse the excellent work done by
countries to become polio-free.
The world is poised to stop polio forever. Now, more
than ever, we need all countries to support global
eradication of this disease. Please take a moment to
show your support to ending polio:
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLJ9/zj2h/qMBD
Thanks for taking action!
Natasha
Care2 Campaign Team
Forward to a friend >> www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLJ9/zj2h/qMBD
Read the petition >> www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLJ9/zj2h/qMBD
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:38:37 -0700
Hi Ray,
Every five seconds, someone in the world goes blind -
with women and girls accounting for four out of six of
these cases. Just as importantly, over 75 percent of
blindness can be prevented or cured if communities have
access to adequate eye care services.
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLhS/zj1R/qMBD
That's where Seva Foundation comes in. Rather than
sending outsiders to run programs in impoverished areas
worldwide, Seva trains local people to provide care to
their own communities. In the past year alone, Seva
supported programs have helped to prevent blindness in
25,000 children and restored eyesight to over 30,000
people, mostly through cataract surgery.
Add your voice to a chorus of others and say "Thank
You!" to Seva Foundation for their amazing work to help
people recover - and keep - the gift of sight! >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLhS/zj1R/qMBD
One doctor recalls about remote western Tibet, "There
was one older woman who'd been completely blind from
cataract for at least eight years... We did the
surgery, and the next day when she took the patch off,
she burst into tears because she could see her
grandchildren for the first time."
And from rural Nepal: "There was a young woman there,
about 22 or 23 years old, and she had a one-year-old
baby. This woman had been blind since she was 6 or 7
years old. Her husband was deaf... It must have been a
difficult life for all of them. The actual surgery
takes maybe 15 minutes. That next morning, I got up
early because I wanted to see this young woman... Well,
the patch came off - and she had the biggest smile on
her face that I have ever seen, anywhere! She could see
her baby! She could see her husband for the first
time!"
Send a note to express gratitude for these amazing
acts of good will >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLhS/zj1R/qMBD
Warmly,
Robyn E.
Care2 Petition Site Team
P.S. Ask friends and family to say "Thank you!" too >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLhS/zj1R/qMBD
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 13:33:40 -0700
Hi Ray,
In Sumatra, Indonesia, illegal logging is threatening the habitat of the last remaining Sumatran tigers. This logging is causing problems for both animals and humans, and must be stopped immediately.
Didy Wurjanto, head of the official nature conservancy agency in the area, has taken steps to stop this illegal practice. Please ask Wurjanto to do everything possible. >>
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFl9k/zj_N/qMBD
Six people were recently killed from tiger attacks in Sumatra in less than a month. Three tigers were also killed by civilians in this same area. This battle for territory cannot go on, especially when these tigers are not only fighting for their lives, but fighting for existence.
Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild, and we must do everything we can to protect these animals and the forests they call home.
Please sign today to help stop illegal logging in Sumatra. >>
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFl9k/zj_N/qMBD
Thank you for helping save these tigers!
Sincerely,
Emily
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
Forward to a friend
Read the petition
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:13:14 -0700
Hi Ray,
A Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) would be a powerful catalyst for change - inspiring the creation of national animal-protection laws in countries where they do not exist and encouraging all countries to improve their animal welfare legislation.
This declaration would raise the status of animal
welfare as an international issue and inspire positive
change in public attitudes towards animals.
Help make the UDAW a reality! Urge the Minister of Foreign
Affairs to support animal welfare >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFlVX/zjZZ/qMBD
Here are just a few things that this multi-national
declaration would do:
- Improve practices for sustainable agriculture
- Lessen the risk of transmissible diseases such as BSE,
rabies and bird flu
- Promote biodiversity and acknowledge the risks to
animals caused by climate change, habitat loss and
pollution
- Provide a benchmark for those countries with little or
no animal welfare standards to aim for
More than 60,000 Canadians are campaigning for a
Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United
Nations. And government representatives from Kenya,
India, Costa Rica, United Kingdom, Australia and others
have already indicated support for a UDAW.
Ray, send a letter to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs and urge him to support the achievement of a
Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the UN >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFlVX/zjZZ/qMBD
Thank you for taking a few minutes to make a
difference today.
Truly,
Robyn E.
Care2 and the Petition Site Team
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:06:32 -0700
Hi Ray,
Last year's hunt left more than 200,000 seals dead -
clubbed, shot and skinned in the largest commercial
hunt of marine mammals in the world. Many were babies
as young as 12 days old. This year, Canada's government
is allowing 280,000 of these beautiful creatures to be
slaughtered!
Let the European Parliament know you support a total
ban on seal product trade >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFlrR/zjzu/qMBD
But there is new hope for the seals. The European
Commission put forward a proposal to ban the import and
trade in seal products in the European Union - a move
many believe is a historic step towards ending cruel
commercial seal slaughters around the world.
However, the Commission has included a problematic
loophole in the proposal that would allow countries
that meet certain inadequate standards of slaughter to
continue trading seal products in the EU! Such an
exemption would allow countries to improve their
regulations on paper while the cruelty continues in the
field unchecked.
Sign the petition letter >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFlrR/zjzu/qMBD
The good news is that there is still time to act. The
proposal is now before the European Parliament, where
this loophole can be removed. European citizens and
their parliamentarians want a strong law - one that
stops all trade in products derived from commercial
seal slaughters, which are inherently inhumane.
Please show your support for an unconditional
prohibition on seal product trade >>
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFlrR/zjzu/qMBD
On behalf of Humane Society International, thank you for
taking action today.
Warmly,
Robyn E.
Care2 and the Petition Site Team
P.S. This senseless killing will not stop unless
we raise our voices in unison! If you have already
added your name to this petition, please forward this
email to your friends, family and colleagues. Or simply
send them this link:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFlrR/zjzu/qMBD
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:01:15 +0000
Dear Ray,
Do something amazing this year and help fight poverty
Want to do something amazing in 2009? Then take on the London Triathlon with the World Development Movement and stand up to injustice.
The Triathlon is on 1st August 2009 in London. The event is a 750m swim, 20k cycle and a 5k run (shorter or longer distances are available). You can take part as an individual, or as a team. This is your one chance to enter the Triathlon this year. All individual places have now sold out - only charity places are left.
Sign up by 30th April to secure your place.
When you join the WDM Tri team, you will get a free WDM t-shirt, a training pack, a blog on our website, and all the training and fundraising advice you need.
For more info go to www.wdm.org.uk/triathlon
To sign up, call us now on 020 7820 4923. Or email me at Caroline.Griffin *at* wdm.org.uk - if you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them.
Best wishes,
Caroline Griffin
WDM Fundraising team
To forward click here:
http://dotm1.net/f.asp?i=527337333
Date: Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:57:00 +0000
Dear Colleague,
The Campaign for Freedom of Information is running two FOI courses in
London and Birmingham which may be of interest:
'Information Commissioner & Tribunal Decisions - what do they mean in
practice?'
A half-day course: Central London 27 April 2009 & Birmingham 30 April
2009
The course is aimed at practitioners, lawyers and other specialists
with a working knowledge of the legislation. It will look at the
implications of key decisions from recent months on the main
exemptions, public interest test and procedural requirements. It will
examine the approach being taken by the Commissioner & Tribunal in
part by discussing apparently similar cases which have reached
different outcomes.
Issues will include:
- "fair" and "unfair" disclosures of personal data;
-
the FOI/EIR borderline;
- the Tribunal's recent approach to the
disclosure of policy discussions;
- where the public interest line is
being drawn;
- applying the cost limit, vexatious requests and advice
and assistance.
The course will be presented by Maurice Frankel who has worked in the
field for 25 years.
Significant discounts are available for more than one booking from the
same organisation. If you think anyone else from your organisation
would be interested please do let them know.
For further information -
www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/ICandTribunalDecisionsApr09.pdf
Best wishes,
Katherine Gundersen
Campaign for Freedom of Information
Website: www.cfoi.org.uk
FOI Blog: foia.blogspot.com
Email: katherine *at* cfoi.demon.co.uk
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:13:35 -0800 (PST)
"Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions
of voices calling for change." - President Barack Obama
Hi Ray,
President Obama has been in office for roughly one
month and this week, ThePetitionSite activists have
taken on animal cruelty, the death penalty, and even
child abduction.
The five activists whose petitions are featured below
gathered the most signatures in the first month of
Care2's "Yes YOU Can!" Challenge. Help these winning
citizen activists make a difference by reading and
signing their petitions:
-------
Stimulate the Economy -- Forgive Student Loans!
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0q/zidx/qMBD
Over the past twenty years, student loan debt in the
United States has more than doubled. Graduates boast
marvelous skill sets, but mountains of debt; many
individuals and families pay more than a third of their
monthly income to student loan debt. Invest our tax
dollars in paying off student loan debts in this
country, and we free educated masses to create new
businesses, invest in homes, and become a foundation
for the new economy. This will have a much deeper
positive impact on all Americans than handing bailouts
to corporations who have no impetus to invest in this
country.
Sign the petition here:
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0q/zidx/qMBD
-------
Return abducted minor Sean Goldman to his father
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0Q/zidx/qMBD
Four years ago, then four-year-old Sean Goldman was
abducted to Brazil by his mother. After her recent
death, the man recently married to her was awarded
custody by a Brazilian court. Ever since the
kidnapping, Sean's father David Goldman has waged a
legal battle to have Sean returned to him, as required
by U.S. law and an international treaty signed by both
the U.S. and Brazil.
Sean's story was recently featured on NBC Dateline.
Read Sean and David's story and sign the petition to
bring Sean home here:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0Q/zidx/qMBD
-------
Maximum Penalty for the Men Who Hacked Up a Puppy
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0r/zidx/qMBD
Hardened police officers were shocked by the
horrifying torture, mutilation and brutal slaying of a
seven month old fox terrier puppy near Mackay,
Australia. Police have even obtained graphic video
footage of the terrible attack. The maximum penalty for
such an offense is $75,000 or two years in jail but to
date, the worst sentence has only been a four month
jail term.
Sign this petition to make sure these criminals
don't get off the hook with anything other than the
absolute maximum punishment:
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0r/zidx/qMBD
-------
Pets Abuse in Uruguay With NO Punishment!
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0s/zidx/qMBD
In Uruguay, a South American country self-dubbed
"Uruguay - Natural Country" or "Uruguay - Pais
Natural", no laws guarantee animal welfare or punish
torture of animal victims. Many pets living on the
streets are subject to many forms of abuse as a result
of any protection under the law.
Citizen petition authors, angered by the brutal
dousing and lighting aflame one dog in Uruguay, beg
that you sign their petition demanding tougher animal
cruelty laws in their country:
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0s/zidx/qMBD
-------
Thank you for making a difference with Care2!
Hilary,
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
P.S. Joining the Yes YOU Can challenge is
easy! Just create your petition for progressive change
and start promoting it for signatures. Visit our
homepage for more information.
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0S/zidx/qMBD
You don't have to "do" anything except promote your
petition to qualify for the Challenge. All citizen
petitions on ThePetitionSite.com are automatically in
the running - get tips and tricks for promotion in our
new Activist Toolkit (PDF file)
www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFH0t/zidx/qMBD
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:25:35 +0000
Dear Colleague,
The Campaign for Freedom of Information said the government's decision today to veto the release of the Iraq cabinet minutes was "an extremely retrograde step".
The Campaign said the government should have abided by the Information Tribunal's decision on the release of the cabinet minutes - or appealed against it, but not overruled it. It said the UK Freedom of Information Act had one of the most elaborate appeals processes of any in the world, involving the Information Commissioner, the Information Tribunal, the High Court and if necessary the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. The Campaign also expressed serious concern at the statement of Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, that the government was actively considering widening some of the Freedom of Information Act's exemptions, to make it easier to withhold official information.
The full press release is available from - www.cfoi.org.uk/foi240209pr.html
Best wishes,
Katherine Gundersen
*************************************
Campaign for Freedom of Information
Suite 102
16 Baldwins Gardens
London
EC1N 7RJ
Website: http://www.cfoi.org.uk
Email: admin at cfoi.demon.co.uk
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