A/HRC/32/20 C. Access to information 34. Access to information, which is part of freedom of expression, is especially important for civil society organizations in conducting their work effectively. The public needs access to diverse sources of information to become informed about issues that affect their lives, articulate concerns, engage constructively and contribute to solutions. 24 Finland’s national human rights institution notes that Finnish legislation encourages transparency by considering information to be in the public domain unless a specific act designates the contrary. 35. The Constitution of South Africa provides that everyone has the right of access to any information held by the State and any information held by another person that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights. Similar language can be found in the 2013 Right to Access Information Act of Sierra Leone. In Brazil, legislation providing that information relating to human rights violations may not remain secret, and the decision to open up past State archives to the public, were cited as good examples.25 36. The introduction of webcast and remote participation of NGOs through the delivery of video messages at sessions of the Human Rights Council and the treaty bodies bring greater transparency and understanding of international human rights mechanisms and allow NGOs to obtain critical first-hand information. Meetings held between officials and civil society after such events can boost effective follow-up of observations and enrich processes for implementation of recommendations. D. Participation in policy development, planning and decision-making 37. “Nothing about us without us” was a slogan commonly associated with the disability rights movement in the drafting process of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Development outcomes have better chances to be sustainable when related decision-making is transparent and when diverse views and information are considered by decision makers. The involvement of diverse actors leads to more comprehensive representation of the population and enriches both the process and outcome. 1. Mutual benefits of collaboration 38. Various multi-stakeholder initiatives (e.g., alliances of Governments, national human rights institutions and civil society actors such as academic institutions, business enterprises and foundations, sometimes involving the United Nations or regional organizations) demonstrate the mutual benefits of collaboration by pooling expertise, opening up space for dialogue and providing financial backing to seek sustainable solutions to major issues.26 39. In Tunisia, joint endeavours by Government, business, trade unions and human rights actors created fresh approaches to countering terrorism and building and maintaining a peaceful society grounded in respect for the rule of law and human rights (see A/HRC/27/33, paras. 32-35). According to the Government of Cuba, ongoing consultations 24 25 26 Amis des étrangers au Togo. Civic Space Initiative. United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Guidance on National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, version 2.0 (Geneva, 2015). 9