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Newspaper Coverage on
"Anatomy of Parliament: How it Works"

The Financial Express (December 01, 2000): JS limping in absence of opposition: TIB - Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad (JS) is ineffective and limping in the absence of opposition, observed speakers at the launching function of a booklet titled "Anatomy of Parliament: How it works" released by Transparency International Bangladesh. The booklet said the current scenario of the law-making process can hardly be described as 'democratic'. The 39-paged booklet noted the role of the Speaker and the parliamentary standing committees as provided in the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure, without making any observation.

"There should be transparency how parliament budget is utilised", said Amir Khasru MP taking part in a brief discussion.

Tasmima Hossain MP gave a gloomy picture of the functioning of the parliament and suggested that members should undergo orientation for better performance.

Rashed Khan Menon of Bangladesh Workers Party said with regret, " we could not make parliament effective. The present one has been limping from the beginning in the absence of opposition".

David Preston, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh lauded TIB for the publication of the booklet. Eyeing on the the next general election, David said the whole process should be transparent, accountable and fair to make it credible.

The Daily Independent (December 01, 2000): Booklet on Parliament launched - Functioning of House is flawed, say speakers: With a view to strengthening Parliamentary democracy in the country, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has published a booklet that can aid in raising awareness among the people about parliamentary affairs. The launching ceremony of "Anatomy of Parliament: How it works" was held in TIB office in the city. Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, David Preston attended the meeting as the chief guest. Amir Khasru Mahmood MP, Tasmima Hossain MP, Workers Party leader Rashed Khan Menon and Khalequzzaman MP spoke on the occasion. TIB Secretary General Towfiq Newaj presided over the occasion. The speakers expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the House and underscored the need for creating public awareness about the role of parliamentarians to compel them to discharge their duties properly. The Canadian High Commissioner emphasised on the need for free, fair and transparent electoral system to sustain and consolidate democracy.

The Daily Prothom Alo (December 01, 2000): Booklet on parliament launched - Functioning System of Parliament was Severely Criticized: The mode Parliamentary functioning was severely criticized by the speakers in a launching ceremony of a booklet titled 'Parliament: How it Works' released by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). TIB Secretary General Towfiq Newaj presided over the launching ceremony held at TIB office. Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, David Preston attended the function as the chief guest. Workers Party leader Rashed Khan Menon, Amir Khashru Mahmud MP, Tasmima Hossain MP, Khalequzzaman MP and Taleya Rahman of Democracywatch spoke on the occasion. Amir Khashru Mahmud MP said that the MPs spent most of the time in unnecessary debates forgetting their due role in Parliament. He hoped, the booklet published by TIB would enhance the knowledge of Parliamentary affairs and helps MPs change their attitudes. The Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh observed that public servants should have accountability to the parliamentary committees so that transparency could be ensured in government machinery.

The Daily Ittefaq (December 02, 2000): The Government should have Accountability to the Parliament - The Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, David Preston said that the public servants should have accountability to the parliamentary committees so that transparency could be ensured in government machinery. In Canada, the public servants have to face parliamentary standing committees, said the High Commissioner while he was addressing at a launching ceremony of "Anatomy of Parliament: How it Works". Tasmima Hossian MP, Amir Khashru Mahmud MP, Khalequazzam MP, Workers Party leader Rashed Khan Menon, Executive Director of TIB Manzoor Hasan and Taleya Rahman spoke on the occasion.

The Daily Sangbad (December 01,2000): Booklet on "Anatomy of Parliament: How it Works" released - Booklet on "Anatomy of Parliament: How it Works" was released by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in a launching ceremony held in TIB office at Gulshan. Canadian High Commissioner David Preston, Workers Party leader Rashed Khan Menon, Tasmima Hossain MP, Amir Khashru Mahmud MP, Taleya Rahman and Executive Director of TIB spoke on the occasion. Expressing optimism about Bangladesh's democratic future, Preston said, although the democracy is at a nascent stage here, its progress showed a positive sign.

The Daily Jugantor (December 01, 2000): Discussion at TIB launching ceremony - Parliament is ineffective in absence of opposition - Bangladesh Parliament has become ineffective in the absence of opposition and most of the parliamentarians are ignorant about the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, said the speakers at a launching ceremony of a booklet titled "Anatomy of Parliament: How it Works" published by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). The speakers observed that transparency and accountability are the two fundamental elements of democracy which should be ensured at every levels of electoral process. They said that parliamentarians are 'part time law-makers' and the members should undergo training for orientation. They hoped that the booklet published by TIB would enhance the knowledge of parliamentary affairs and help MPs change their attitudes.

The Daily Matribhumi (December 01, 2000): Parliament was ineffective in the past and is sleeping now - As a part of improving governance Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) released a booklet titled "Anatomy of Parliament: How it Works" at a launching ceremony held at TIB office. Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh David Preston attended the function as chief guest. In the booklet it is said that the supreme watchdog in any democratic society is parliament. Ultimately it is parliament that must hold the government accountable for its performance, and in turn, the electorate holds parliament accountable. Consecutively, the link between civil society and the goal of good governance should be above all through parliament. At present this link in Bangladesh is particularly weak.