Croatia’s Information Commissioner has reported a surge in complaints regarding unanswered public inquiries, indicating a lack of transparency from state bodies. A significant number – 215 public authorities – are also failing to comply with reporting requirements under the Right of Access to Information Act, with no reports submitted for years. This non-compliance hinders oversight and accountability regarding public information access. The Commissioner highlighted “administrative silence” as the most frequent source of citizen complaints. The situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of the Act and the willingness of authorities to provide timely responses to public requests. This lack of responsiveness impacts public trust and potentially obstructs informed civic participation. The Commissioner’s office is likely to address these issues through increased monitoring and potential enforcement actions.
