TI?s Perception Index
For the fifth time in a row Bangladesh has topped the list of countries in terms of perception of prevalence of corruption according to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Transparency International.  The CPI 2005 was published on 18 October 2005. A total of 159 countries have been included in this year?s index. In terms of points, scoring the least, 1.7 alongside Chad of Africa in a scale of 0-10, Bangladesh occupied 158th position. This index was released internationally from London on 18 October. Among others, TIB Executive Director participated at the launch.
In Bangladesh, CPI was released at a press conference in Dhaka. Member of the TIB Board of Trustees Professor Muzaffer Ahmad was present. In his statement Professor Ahmad said that the CPI did not indicate that the entire population of Bangladesh was corrupt, rather it indicated the political and administrative corruptions that existed in the country. The general people of Bangladesh were only victims of corruption, he further added.

TI Survey: Political Parties Are Most Corrupt

The political parties are the most corrupt institute in the world. Transparency International (TI) released this finding from London on 9 December on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day. TI conducted this survey for two years among 55 thousand people of 69 countries around the globe. Respondents from 45 countries in the survey placed the political parties on top in the list of corrupt entities for the second year in a row. The parliament or legislature, the police and legal system/judiciary were ranked below political parties by this TI Study titled ?Global Corruption Barometer 2005?. According to another TI Study titled ?Stealing the Future: Corruption in the Classroom?, education had been particularly mentioned as a corrupt sector. The study said, the extensions of corruption in the education arena became acute. As a result, disastrous consequences were likely for the pupils of affected countries.

Commenting on the findings of these two surveys, TI Chairperson Huguette Labelle said, ?Corruption is the principal problem of our times. The impact of corruption on poor is most terrifying. If the people become frustrated on the issue, then it would not be possible to do anything for curbing corruption. The findings of the survey are a warning for the people that there is a need for changes. But leadership, willpower and influence are needed for changes to take place, she added.  According to the participants of the survey of 48 countries, corruption has increased over the past three years. Citizens of 12 countries think that corruption could be diminished while citizens of 34 countries are disillusioned due to deterioration of the situation.?

Transition in Transparency International

Huguette Labelle, a respected Canadian with a broad background in development issues, has been elected Chair of Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption. She replaces Dr. Peter Eigen, who founded the TI movement and has served with distinction throughout the organisation?s 12-year history. Eigen will assume the Chair of Transparency International?s Advisory Council. In his new position Dr. Eigen replaces Dr. Kamal Hossain of Bangladesh who has stepped down, but will continue to be an advisor. Huguette Labelle has served in a variety of public offices, including the president of the Canadian International Development Agency, Vice-Chair of the World Health Organisation?s Working Group on Health and Development Policies, Deputy Minister of Transport, and Chairman of the Public Service Commission of Canada. Labelle was elected on 13 November, 2005 by the Annual Meeting of Transparency International?s nearly one hundred chapters and contact groups around the world. Barrister Akere T. Muna, the founder and president of Transparency International Cameroon, was elected Vice Chair of Transparency International.

Forum of Investigative Journalists

TIB has been encouraging investigative journalism to reveal incidents of corruption from its inception. TIB believes that the joint efforts of investigative journalists and TIB itself can have a positive impact in reducing the magnitude of corruption in the country. This is one of the reasons TIB introduced its Investigative Journalism Award through which it awards investigative reports published/aired in newspapers and on TV channels. TIB held a meeting with the Journalists who were so far awarded TIB?s Investigative Journalism Awards to explore the idea of forming a Forum of Investigative Journalists of Bangladesh (FIJB). The meeting was organized on December 4, 2005 at TIB?s office in Dhaka. It was decided that the awarded journalists would take follow-up efforts with the support of TIB to form the proposed forum as soon as possible.

International Anti-Corruption Day ? 2005 Observed

TIB observed the 2nd International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2005 across the country with various programs. These programs included a national seminar in Dhaka, cultural program, national debate and essay competitions, rallies, publication of poster and sticker etc. Besides, special programs were arranged in CCC areas.
National Seminar in Dhaka: A national seminar on ?Corruption and Human Insecurity in Bangladesh? was held at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club on 9 December on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day. Conducted by the eminent economist and member of TIB Trustee Board Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, the keynote paper of the seminar was presented by the TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman (see the full text of the paper link). Those present as discussants at the seminar included former Adviser of the caretaker government and TIB Trustee M Hafizuddin Khan, former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury MP, Chairman of the Department of Development Studies of Dhaka University Dr. Salahuddin M. Aminuzzaman, Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of the same university Dr. Golam Rahman, Director, Research of BIISS Dr. AKM Abdus Sabur and the Executive Director of ?Nijera Kori? Khushi Kabir.
The speakers stated that the present government has not yet implemented its pledge of signing the Anti-Corruption Convention. The Anti-Corruption Commission is inactive even after formation. As a consequence, although anti-corruption institutions have been put in place, they cannot play any role due to lack of political goodwill. The speakers emphasized the need for firm political commitment as a pre-requisite for curbing corruption.

Professor Muzaffer Ahmad said, although the government talked about various measures for tackling corruption, it considered those who spoke against corruption as adversaries. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, it was a misfortune for the nation that we could not yet set up transparent, accountable and independent institutions for curbing corruption. Even the apex institutions of parliament and parliamentary committees are not sufficiently effective. Members of the civil society including politicians, teachers, journalists, lawyers, students, high officials from government, non-government and donor agencies were present at the seminar.
After the seminar, prizes and certificates were distributed among the winners of essay and debate competitions organized to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Cultural Program in Dhaka: A cultural program was arranged at the auditorium of the National Press Club on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day. Three plays were staged at the program by TIB?s people?s theatre groups of Mymensingh, Muktagachha and Nalitabari titled ?Durniti Express?, ?Durnitir Chobal? and ?Durnitir Shimanay? respectively. Besides, cultural groups from Nalitabari, Chapainawabganj and ?Rupantar? of Khulna presented traditional folksongs called ?Palagaan?, ?Gambhira? and ?Pot-Song? respectively. TIB also produced a special TV Talk programs in collaboration with a local satellite channel NTV. 

Anti-Corruption Day in CCC areas

Various programs were arranged in the CCC areas to observe the International Anti-Corruption Day. Seminars were arranged in Chittagong and Jessore. Besides, discussion meetings were held at different CCCs i.e. Kushtia, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Sylhet City, Sunamganj, Jhalakathi, Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Brahmanbaria, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Muktagacha, Modhupur, and Nalitabari. Special rallies were held in CCC areas of Kushtia, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi City, Natore, Sunamganj, Sreemongal, Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Muktagacha, Modhupur and Nalitabari. In Natore, CCC members formed a human chain to observe IACD 2005.

In Muktagacha, Nalitabari, Modhupur, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Jessore, Sylhet City, Sunamganj, Sreemongal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Chittagong City, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Rangpur, Kurigram, Rajshahi City and Lalmonirhat CCC areas, poster campaigns were launched. It is to be mentioned that TIB published a special poster and two different types of stickers to observe the IACD 2005. A flyer was also distributed through newspapers in Dhaka.

Essay Competition: A National Essay Competition for the students was arranged by TIB to observe the IACD. This competition was held in three categories i.e. school, college and university. A TIB nominated jury panel evaluated the entries and made their judgments. Essay competitions were also arranged in Chapainawabganj and Jamalpur CCC areas.
 
Debate Competition : An anti-corruption national debate competition was arranged for the first time by TIB to mark the IACD. A total of 36 debating teams from various universities of the country took part in the competition. In the final round of the competition, Ruquayah Hall of Dhaka University became champion by beating the Law Deaprtment of the same university. It is to be mentioned that TIB introduced its debate campaign as a part of its ongoing Youth Engagement Program. The main objective of this program is to involve the youths in TIB?s anti-corruption movement. Debate competitions were also held in Natore, Chapainawabganj, Jamalpur, and Kishoreganj CCC areas to observe the IACD.

Leaflet & Sticker Distribution: CCCs in Muktagacha, Nalitabari, Modhupur, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Jessore, Sylhet City, Sunamganj, Srimangal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Chittagong City, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Rangpur, Kurigram, Rajshahi City, Lalmonirhat and Barisal City areas distributed leaflets and stickers to mark the IACD 2005.

TV Talk Show

Moderated by media personality Muhammad Jahangir, TV Talk Show ?GrameenPhone Teleshomoy? was telecast on 6 January 2006 on Channel-i. ?Fighting Corruption at the Local Level: The Role of Civil Society? was the topic of the program. Convener of CCC-Kurigram Advocate A T M Enamul Haque Chan, Member of the CCC-Jamalpur Advocate Shamim Ara and the Executive Director of TIB Dr. Iftekharuzzaman were present as discussants. While discussing about corruption the discussants said that corruptions which had taken place at the local level were always considered as local problems and therefore little efforts were made to address this problem. However, it worsened the problems of corruption, the discussants said, and the daily lives of people disrupted. While discussing about the role of civil society in combating corruption at the local level, the discussants said that the citizens could play the role of catalyst in this regard. The public organizations, especially the political parties could play the key role. To fight corruption, citizens at the local level and various govt. organizations must come together to raise awareness against corruption, it was also observed.

International Mother?s Language Day (Ekhushey February) Observed

TIB observed the International Mother?s Language Day on February 21 with different programs. A sticker campaign was launched and a press advert was published in a leading daily newspaper. Greetings cards were distributed among Ministers, Parliament Members, Political leaders, Government officials and Civil Society members. The staff members of TIB distributed stickers at the Bangla Academy Book Fair premises published to mark the day. TIB also arranged a rally on the day and placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar. The Executive Director and other staff members took part in the rally with their families and friends.

Annual Member?s Meeting ? 2005 

The Annual Member?s Meeting of TIB Members was held on 20 January 2006 at the Banquet Hall of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Dhaka. The meeting was attended by 62 members and 40 TIB staff members. Members of the Board of Trustees - Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, Mr. M. Hafizuddin Khan and Ms. Sayyada Ruhi Ghaznavi also attended the meeting. The Executive Director of TIB Dr. Iftekharuzzaman moderated the program. During the program separate presentations were made on the four main streams of on-going activities of TIB ? Research, Programme (CCCs), Advocacy and Institutional Strengthening.  Following these presentations members took part actively in the open forum during which questions were raised and comments made on the presentations. Members also made many useful proposals/suggestions with regard to on-going and possible future activities of TIB. The meeting unanimously decided to sign a summary version of the TIB Code of Ethics, similar to the one signed by TIB staff, which is also applicable to Trustees, CCCs, volunteers, and anyone else involved with TIB.

CCC Activity  

Report Card Survey

TIB conducts report card surveys through its CCCs to ensure transparency and accountability of various services provided at the local levels by the government. Another purpose of this survey is to raise awareness against corruption. Recently, TIB released several Report Card Surveys on healthcare services in some CCC areas. It shows the dismal state of healthcare services in government hospitals.

Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore: TIB and CCC-Rajshahi released the ?Report Card Survey-2005? on the healthcare services within Rajshahi city on 25 October. The report was released through a press conference held at the CCC office. On the other hand, the ?Report Card Survey-2005? on Chapainawabganj Sadar was released from a press conference held at the Town Club auditorium on 24 October 2005. Organized jointly by TIB and CCC-Chapainawabganj, the survey report was presented at a press conference. The ?Report Card Survey-2005? of Natore Sadar upazila was released on 26 October.

Rangpur, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat: The CCC-Rangpur released the ?Report Card Survey-2005? on clinical facilities in Rangpur through a press conference held on 27 October. The CCC-Kurigram also released the ?Report Card Survey-2005? on healthcare services of Kurigram Sadar Upazila on 30 October. Various irregularities and mismanagement in healthcare services of hospitals located in Lalmonirhat Sadar were depicted in the ?Report Card Survey-2005? which was released on 29 October by CCC-Lalmonirhat.

Workshop

CCC-Jamalpur: CCC ? Jamalpur organized a workshop on ?Improvement of quality education? on 18 October 2005 at Hajipur Govt. Primary School premises. The participants at the seminar said that awareness of the guardians and the percentage of presence of the students had increased because of the activities initiated by TIB.

CCC-Sylhet: A daylong workshop was organized on 26 November at Hotel Sylhet Inn titled ?Management of Committees of Concerned Citizens? with the participation of CCCs members from Sylhet, Sunamganj and Sreemongal. The participants at the workshop unanimously expressed the view that corruption in society could be reduced to a large extent through mutual consultations and by availability of correct information. Professor M. Habibur Rahman, Advocate Hossain Toufique Chowdhury, Professor Sayieed Mujeebur Rahman, Advocate Emad Ullah Shahidul Islam et al. presented their views on behalf of the citizens.

Seminar

Seminar on local governance and primary education: The speakers at a seminar on ?Pro-people local government council: Role of public representatives and citizens? said, it is not possible to establish good governance if the local government councils fail to turn into pro-people and effective institutions. The seminar, held under the auspices of CCC-Kishoreganj on 24 October at the ?muktamancha? of local press club was chaired by eminent lawyer Ashok Sarkar. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Anisuzzaman was the chief guest while the municipal chairman Alhaj Abu Taher Mia was present as the main discussant. Representatives of various citizen groups professions along with TIB official attended the seminar.

Mothers? Gathering

CCC-Kishoreganj: CCC-Kishoreganj organized a mothers? gathering at the auditorium of Kishoreganj Boulai Government Primary School on 27 November. The slogan of the gathering was ?Only a mother can send children to school regularly and make them sit before the table for study?. Attended by over 400 mothers, the best teachers and meritorious students were awarded at the meeting. The CCC members and eminent persons including government officers were present.

Advice and Information Desks (AI-Desks)

To disseminate information and give advice to the people at free of cost, Advice and Information Centre (AI-Desks) of CCCs have started their activity through inception programs in different CCCs. These centers will continue its effort to help establishing state recognized rights by giving information as well as advices to general people, researchers, journalists, students and NGO activists. Anybody can access the AI-Desks free of cost and can avail information i.e. fact sheets, data, statistics, different kinds of books and research reports from here.

The advice and information desks have been set up under the aegis of Muktagacha, Jamalpur, Modhupur, Chapainawabganj and Natore CCCs on 23rd, 28th, 31st, 18th and 20th October respectively. These Desks are situated in the respective CCC offices.

Annual CCC Convention 2005

A two-day annual convention of the Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCC) was held during 21 - 22 December at Koitta, Manikganj. The CCC members during the convention reiterated their demand to the government for signing the international anti-corruption convention and for making the anti-corruption commission independent immediately. More than 100 representatives from 30 CCCs formed in 6 divisions around the country participated in the convention. Conducted by the Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman the CCC Convention was attended among other, by  Chairman of the Trustee Board of TIB Samson H. Chowdhury, Member Professor Khan Sarwar Mursheed, Professor Muzaffar Ahmad, Mahfuz Anam, M Hafizuddin Khan and Sultana Kamal.

Volunteer Activity

CCC-Kurigram: The Volunteer Group of CCC-Kurigram organized an anti-corruption human chain on 17 October 2006 at the local Shapla Square premises. People from various professions including the members of Volunteer Group and People?s Theatre Group participated in this program.

CCC-Natore : The Volunteer Group of CCC-Natore organized an essay competition for the school students on 29 September 2006. Prizes were distributed among the winners of the competition on 20 October by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Aminul Islam. A publicity campaign was conducted by the Volunteer Group of Natore on 10, 12 and 16 October at all public and private organizations located in the district. The aim of this campaign was to motivate the officers, employees so that they did not neglect in their duties and refrain from taking bribes. The volunteers? group distributed leaflets and posters in government offices with that objective.

CCC-Nalitabari : The Volunteer Group of CCC ? Nalitabari arranged a Human Chain Program on 27 October at the main road in front of Nalitabari Upazilla Parishad. The Human Chain was for demanding to strengthen the govt. initiatives to root out the adulterated food and commodities from that region. At the end of it, the participants placed a demand to the local authority for taking proper initiatives in that regard.

CCC-Kishoreganj: The volunteer group of CCC-Kishoreganj affixed posters at important locations of Kishoreganj town on 22 November with the hope of building a corruption-free country. The volunteer group called for a united social movement against corruption by affixing hundreds of posters carrying slogans like ?Say no to corruption? and ?Allow your children to grow in a corruption-free environment?.

Annual Convention - 2005 of volunteer group and people?s theatre group

A two-day annual convention of the volunteer groups and people?s theatre groups was held on 22 and 23 December at Koitta, Manikganj. Participated by 118 volunteers from different parts of the country, the convention looked at ways to further enhance its activities in the coming years. Eminent writer Selina Hossain, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman and officials of TIB took part in the convention.

New CCCs Formed

TIB has been forming Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCC) at the local levels with the objective of generating anti-corruption awareness and greater demand for transparency and accountability in public and private service sectors and undertaking specific activities to improve service quality in selected public service delivery institutions. TIB has formed such committees in the recent past at Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi and Kushtia with the goal of strengthening the social movement against corruption. The total number of such watchdog forums has now reached 30.

Barisal, Pirojpur Jhalakathi and Kushtia: A 13-member CCC was formed in Barisal City on 28 November with lawyer Muhammad Ismail Hossain Negaban as the convener. An 11-member CCC was formed on 29 November at Pirojpur with Professor Sheikh Saidur Rahman as the convener. A 14-member CCC was formed at Jhalkathi on 29 November with retired teacher Professor Md. Rustam Ali as the convener. Another 16-member Committee of Concerned Citizens had been formed in Kushtia on 30 November at a meeting at the Kushtia Press Club auditorium. Professor Sudin Kumar Lahiri was selected the convener of the committee.

Jhenaidah and Jessore: A 12-member CCC was formed at Jhenaidah under the auspices of TIB on 1 December with Advocate Sheikh Selim as the convener. The 15-member CCC-Jessore was formed on 1 December with Advocate Sheikh Hasan Imam as the convener in a meeting held at a local hotel.

Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chakoria and Patiya: A CCC was formed in Brahmanbaria with Advocate Mohammad Abu Taher as the convener on 4 December. The CCC - Chandpur was formed on 10 December with Professor Monohar Ali as the convener. The CCCs of Chakoria and Patiya under Cox?s Bazar and Chittagong districts were formed on 18 December and 6 December respectively with Engineer Rafiqul Haque and Sagir Mohammad as conveners.

Theatre and Cultural Activity

Durnitir Shimanai Staged: People?s Theatre Group of CCC ? Nalitabari staged ?Durnitir Shimanai? in different places of Nalitabari. The group staged the drama on 13 and 20November at Bonkura Bazar field and Bonkura Secondary School premises respectively. The group staged another show on 7 December at the Chellakhali Bazar ground.

Ekti Kobor Khorar Itikatha Staged: Newly formed People?s Theatre Group of CCC ? Kurigram area staged its new production ?Ekti Kobor Khorar Itikatha? at Jogadaha Bazar, Jatrapur Bazar, Panchgachi Bazar and Sulkur Bazar on 7 and 20 January 2006 respectively. People?s Theatre Group of CCC ? Rangpur also staged Andhar on 31 December at Zafarganj Govt. Primary School and two more shows on 28 February in 2006 at Paglapir and Burirhat.

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