Freedom of Information Act
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152.3
Not deemed to be official documents are any documents which:
a.
are used by an authority in a commercial capacity;
b.
have not been issued; or
c.
are intended for personal use.
Section 2: Right of Access to Official Documents
Art. 6
Principle of freedom of information
1
Any person has the right to inspect official documents and to obtain information
about the content of official documents.
2
The documents may be inspected in situ or a copy thereof may be requested. The
legislation governing copyright is reserved.
3
Where an official document has already been published by the Federal Government
in paper or electronic format, the rights under paragraphs 1 and 2 above are deemed
to have been fulfilled.
Art. 7
Exceptions
1
The right of access shall be limited, deferred or refused if such access to an official
document:
a.
significantly impairs the free opinion-forming and decision-making processes of an authority which is subject to this Act, or of another legislative,
administrative or judicial body;
b.
affects the execution of specific measures taken by an authority in conformity with its objectives;
c.
is likely to compromise the domestic and international security of Switzerland;
d.
is likely to affect the interests of Switzerland in matters of foreign policy and
international relations;
e.
is likely to affect relations between the Federal Government and the cantons,
or inter-cantonal relations;
f.
is likely to affect the economic or monetary interests of Switzerland;
g.
is likely to reveal professional, business or manufacturing secrets; or
h.
is likely to result in the release of information provided voluntarily by a third
party to an authority which undertook to maintain secrecy with regard
thereto.
2
The right of access shall be limited, deferred or refused if such access to an official
document is likely to prejudice the privacy of a third party, unless exceptionally
outweighed by public interest.
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