The Data Protection Inspectorate investigated whether the concealment of the ministry's document was justified. The inspectorate found that it was lawful.
Member of the Riigikogu Züleyxa Izmailova requested the inspectorate to check whether the ministry's documents should be public. She wanted to know if the documents were a draft law or just an analysis.
The inspectorate found that the documents were a draft law. Therefore, the ministry did not have to disclose them. The documents were still in progress and could be changed.
The ministry stated that the documents were initial versions. They still needed further work. Once the documents are finalized, the ministry will also publish the initial version.
The law allows the ministry to conceal working documents. This helps maintain peace and avoid confusion. Documents may change before the final version.
The inspectorate cannot say whether the documents need changes. But since they are not yet finalized, the ministry may conceal them.
Last year, the ministry commissioned a draft law. A payment of 16,000 euros was made for it. The executive bodies were not aware of it, and the document was not shown to them. The document was kept secret for half a year.