“The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed concern over a Costa Rican government decree that classifies as state secret a broad range of information related to the Directorate of Intelligence and National Security (DIS), the National Public Security Council, and the Fuerza Élite working group. The hemispheric organization warned that such a broad measure could hinder journalistic work and restrict access to information of public interest, with consequences for press freedom and the public’s right to be properly informed.
The measure, decreed on August 10 by President Laura Fernández, covers information on police and intelligence operations, chains of command, technological resources, security plans, budgets, expenditures and public procurement, as well as documents, meetings, agreements and other records of these three security agencies. The decree, which took immediate effect, was published in the official gazette, La Gaceta.
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Lawyers and experts consulted by Costa Rican media questioned the constitutionality and scope of the measure, arguing that it should be supported by legislation approved by the Legislative Assembly rather than solely by an executive decree. Among other concerns, they noted that Costa Rica lacks specific legislation clearly regulating state-secrecy declarations.”
