#InformationAccess #Transparency #CoronavirusPandemic
Ombudsman: Practice of Correctional Services Department on Prison-made Surgical Masks Inappropriate and Inconsistent with the Code on Access to Information
When the coronavirus outbreak started earlier this year in Hong Kong, there was a spike in the demand for facemasks in the city. However, the surgical masks (commonly referred to as #CSIMasks) produced by the Correctional Services Department (#CSD), mainly for government departments, were found on the market for sale, calling into question whether CSI masks have been misused or resold without authorisation.
The “Hong Kong Connection”, a RTHK investigative programme, used the Code of Public Information and lodged inquiries to both the Correctional Services Department and the Government Logistics Department about manufacturing, distribution, and usage of CSI masks. However, both departments refused to reply, citing protection of third-party information and their privacy.
The Office of the Ombudsman carried out direct investigation in March this year upon receiving complaints from the RTHK team. The Ombudsman report, revealed that only one of the receiving organisations of CSI masks refused to disclose further information initially, claiming that “the society is infused with rioting and a culture to smear.”
In view of CSI masks outflowing into the market, the government once responded in February 2020, saying “CSD has been providing masks to non-governmental organisations well before the pandemic outbreak, so it is not surprising to see citizens wearing these masks.” When responding to RTHK inquiry, CSD insisted not disclosing any information involving a third-party.
In a post on the RTHK-programme “Hong Kong Connection” Facebook on September 17, it quoted the Ombudsman report which found RTHK-complaint well substantiated. The report pointed out omission of information in CSD practices in 2017 and 2018, it also found CSD’s refusal to provide information on non-governmental organizations inconsistent with the Code of Public Information and recommended CSD to re-examine and disclose information as much as possible.
Source: Stand News #Sept18
#FailedState #Obudsman
Ombudsman: Practice of Correctional Services Department on Prison-made Surgical Masks Inappropriate and Inconsistent with the Code on Access to Information
When the coronavirus outbreak started earlier this year in Hong Kong, there was a spike in the demand for facemasks in the city. However, the surgical masks (commonly referred to as #CSIMasks) produced by the Correctional Services Department (#CSD), mainly for government departments, were found on the market for sale, calling into question whether CSI masks have been misused or resold without authorisation.
The “Hong Kong Connection”, a RTHK investigative programme, used the Code of Public Information and lodged inquiries to both the Correctional Services Department and the Government Logistics Department about manufacturing, distribution, and usage of CSI masks. However, both departments refused to reply, citing protection of third-party information and their privacy.
The Office of the Ombudsman carried out direct investigation in March this year upon receiving complaints from the RTHK team. The Ombudsman report, revealed that only one of the receiving organisations of CSI masks refused to disclose further information initially, claiming that “the society is infused with rioting and a culture to smear.”
In view of CSI masks outflowing into the market, the government once responded in February 2020, saying “CSD has been providing masks to non-governmental organisations well before the pandemic outbreak, so it is not surprising to see citizens wearing these masks.” When responding to RTHK inquiry, CSD insisted not disclosing any information involving a third-party.
In a post on the RTHK-programme “Hong Kong Connection” Facebook on September 17, it quoted the Ombudsman report which found RTHK-complaint well substantiated. The report pointed out omission of information in CSD practices in 2017 and 2018, it also found CSD’s refusal to provide information on non-governmental organizations inconsistent with the Code of Public Information and recommended CSD to re-examine and disclose information as much as possible.
Source: Stand News #Sept18
#FailedState #Obudsman