El Salvador has been expelled from the Open Government Partnership (OGP) due to its sustained failure to meet democratic and transparency standards. The decision, following three years of inactivity and the failure to submit required action plans, confirms that the current government does not meet the minimum requirements for citizen participation and accountability. This has been interpreted as definitive proof of its genuine lack of interest in combating corruption. El Salvador’s departure underscores the severity of the deterioration of democratic conditions and the growing authoritarianism in the country. Experts and civil society organizations agree that this measure is a direct consequence of the Executive’s refusal to share information and facilitate public participation. Far from being an isolated incident, the expulsion symbolizes the erosion of institutional checks and balances and restrictions on civil liberties, demonstrating that the government prefers opacity over openness and social oversight. This event is significant for the open data community, as it illustrates the practical consequences of ignoring transparency and access to information principles. The expulsion serves as a critical warning: without the political will to ensure public access to government data and foster collaboration with civil society, states not only lose international credibility but also weaken the pillars necessary for effective and legitimate governance.
Source:Published on 2023-03-29