In Kherson vocational school of physical training denied journalist access to information

In Kherson higher vocational school of physical training, the administration refused to provide to the editor of the web-site “Khersonska pravda” Taras Buzak the copies of contracts for procurement of goods and services, responding that such information is confidential. This was the official response of the administration of the vocational school to the editor's request, Taras Buzak reported in his Facebook entry, and confirmed to the IMI representative in Khersonska oblast. “Recently, using the portal of public finances “Є-Data” I learned that our vocational school for physical training used taxpayers' funds to buy combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shoe-shine, personal hygiene items, and, also, a party was financed for the budget funds. After this, I addressed the Khersonska oblast council for public information I requested electronic copies of contracts for procurement based on which the payments were conducted. Also, I wanted to learn about the amount of items and services purchased, and what kind of party was financed by the budget funds - (4 thousand hryvnias)”, Buzak explained. The oblast council responded that they do not have the information requested, and forwarded the request to the educational institution itself. There, the administration responded that “contracts between physical persons - entrepreneurs and Kherson higher vocational school of physical training is a confidential information”. “Because the funds on the accounts of the communal institution is a communal property, according to part 5, article 6 of the Law on access to public information, the data on spending them is undoubtedly an open one”, commented the IMI lawyer Roman Holovenko. The journalist intends to address the High Commissioner on Human rights and file a court claim on this case.