|
TIB news
archive
News bulletins:
News
bulletins, January 2001 to December 2002
TI-B Newsletter, June 2000 (in English,
PDF format, 2.34 MB)
1997-8
Newsletters archive
30
December 2004
CCC
Activities
An Opinion-Sharing
meeting was held with the Madhupur Poura-Parishad on 26 December.
Chairman and 9 Commissioners of the Municipality were present
at the meeting. TIB officials and CCC members were also present.
The meeting discussed existing problems of the Municipal area
and ways to improve various civic amenities. Earlier on 20 December,
a Volunteers Meeting was also held in Madhupur CCC. A TIB official
was present to moderate the meeting.
Meeting
with the Land Administration
A 6-member
delegation from TIB and Kishorganj CCC met the Land Administration
authority of Kishorganj on 21 December and discussed ways to improve
the services of this sector. The Assistant Commissioner of Land
Mohammad Jakir Hossain was present during this meeting. The meeting
mainly discussed issues related to land administration services
and the recent TIB report card survey on it. It was observed that
due to lack of proper knowledge about the Land Administration
office, the general people are often harassed. Mr. Jakir Hossain
told the meeting that an Information Board would be placed at
the Land Admin. office to facilitate the general people.
Jamalpur
CCC
A meeting
was held on 20 December at the Eetail Union in Jamalpur which
was jointly organized by CCC and TIB. Held at the Shoilerkanda
High School premises, the meeting was chaired by CCC Convener
of Jamalpur Advocate Nazrul Islam Dulu. Chairman of Eetail Union
Parishad Hafizur Rahman was present along with other members of
the Parishad and gave answers to various queries of the audience.
Mr. Rahman also briefed the audience about his plans regarding
construction of roads, electricity supply and healthcare facilities.
Earlier, a
discussion meeting with the newly elected officials of Jamalpur
Municipality area was also held on 18 December. Ward Commissioner
Mohammad AsmatUllah was present to talk about his municipal area.
Held at the Muslim Government Primary School premises, the meeting
was chaired by member of the CCC Professor Meer Ansar Ali. It
was also attended, among others, by CCC member Advocate Jahid
Anwar, Sukumar Chowdhury, Mostofa Babul and a large number of
local residents. Discussants at the meeting talked about various
problems of the Municipal area and suggested ways to overcome
them.
Workshop
on 'Services of the Union Parishad' held
Transparency
International Bangladesh (TIB) and Committees of Concerned Citizens
(CCC) jointly organized a workshop on 19 December at the Mymensingh
Sadar Upazilla Auditorium, Mymensingh. Local UP Chairman attended
the workshop. The discussions at the meeting focused on improving
the services of Union Parishads. A significant number of women
members were also present at this meeting and talked about their
problems. The waorkshop was chaired by Dr. Nazmanara Khanum, UNO,
Sadar Upazilla. TIBs Program Officer Samapika Halder also spoke.
Besides, regular
CCC meetings were held in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rajshahi,
Natore and Chapai Nawabgonj areas. A training workshop on Report
Card Survey for the CCC members was also held in Rangpur on 11-12
December.
Other
Activities
Friends
of TIB: TIB is going to expand its activities in the
south-western city of Khulna. Accordingly, Friends of TIB groups
will be established in this city. On 27 December, TIB's Outreach
Relations Officer Muhammad Sajjad Hussein visited Khulna and held
preliminary talks with some renowned local NGOs.
People's
Theatre: Regular theatre shows were held during the month
of December. A total of 8 shows were held in Mymensingh
while 9 were staged in Muktagacha and 10 in Nalitabari. Earlier
on November, a Development Theatre Workshop was held for the performers
of the Peoples Theatre. Another workshop will be held on the first
week of February. New theatre groups will also be formed in new
CCC areas of Rangpur, Kurigram and Rajshahi.
15
December 2004
International
Anti-Corruption Day observed by TIB
Government
persuaded to sign and ratify UN Convention Against Corruption
TI-Bangladesh
has observed the International Anti-corruption Day with great
enthusiasm and expectation. Activities included the following:
- Public
rallies and discussion meetings;
- Essay,
debate, drawing and investigative journalism competition;
Cultural events like songs and drama;
- Posters,
billboards and a TV spot especially made on the occasion
The key objective
to raise public awareness about the need to fight corruption and
to mobilize greater participation of all stakeholders. Programs
were organized not only in the capital Dhaka, but also in most
other major cities as well as grassroots levels where TIB has
been working through Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs).
Participation has been widespread and spontaneous everywhere.
TI
Integrity Award for the late journalist Manik Saha was
also handed over to his wife, Nanda Saha.
In Dhaka,
highlight of the day was an Advocacy Seminar on the "UN Convention
against Corruption" in which the key-note paper was titled
"UN Convention against Corruption: The International Instrument
in National Interest". The meeting was attended by over 200
participants with Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Minister for Law, Justice
and Parliamentary Affairs as Chief Guest and Barrister Rokanuddin
Mahmud, President of Supreme Court Bar Association as Special
Guest.
The
main outcome of the event was a clear commitment of the Government
announced by the Law Minister to initiate the process towards
signing the Convention. The Minister added that he would
soon write to the Foreign Minister requesting necessary measures
on the part of the Foreign Ministry. He was subsequently quoted
to have already written a letter to the Foreign Minister.
TIB will continue
to take follow-up initiatives of advocacy and campaign to keep
the momentum so the Government not only signs and ratifies the
Convention as soon as possible, but also implement it in both
spirit and letter, which are consistent with the electoral commitment
of the government as well as all major political parties.
Members'
Meeting Held
The TIB Members
Meeting 2004 was held on November 4, 2004, at 3 pm at the Chalet
Restaurant, Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting was attended by 32 members.
Ms. Sayyada Ruhi Ghaznavi, Secretary General and Acting Chairperson
of Board of Trustees attended. It was also participated by Dr.
Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director and 21 other members of the
TIB staff. During the meeting senior staff members of TIB made
presentations on the progress of work since the last meeting,
and the plan of work for the next year and beyond. They also highlighted
a brief assessment of the achievements and challenges ahead. In
the open discussion several members took active part freely. It
was suggested by the members that TIB should explore
how it could engage the government leaders more closely so as
to remove their misperceptions about TIB.
Members appreciated
the good work done by TIB and suggested that instead of holding
meetings like this, members should be given the opportunity to
take part in activities organized by TIB. Another suggestion was
that most of the concerns raised by members would be addressed
if arrangements were made to hold members meeting on a monthly
basis. The ED responded by saying that this would be logistically
impossible at this stage. He would however explore the possibility
of facilitating a members' day on a quarterly basis on which members
would be able to freely discuss with staff about the ongoing work
of TIB and other matters of interest. The meeting was followed
by an Ifter.
15
October 2004
International
Anti-Corruption Day to be observed on 9th December
The UN General
Assembly has recently designated December 9th as the International
Anti-Corruption Day. On this occasion Transparency International
Bangladesh has decided to undertake some programs to create greater
public awareness and participation in curbing corruption. An elaborate
plan had been chalked out to observe this day which includes essay
competition, painting competition for children, seminar and rally.
Mothers
Conference held in Nalitabari and Kishoreganj
Committee
of Concerned Citizens (CCC) Nalitabari has recently organized
a conference of mothers in association with TIB. Ma Shomabesh
(Mothers Conference) was held on 13 October at the local Taraganj
Charu Government Primary School. Presided over by Convener of
the CCC M A Hakam Hira, this program was attended by a large number
of local mothers, schoolteachers and members of the civil society.
The meeting discussed ways to improve the quality of education
and how to stop early dropouts. Some proposals were also made
to improve the quality of education.
A similar
program was earlier arranged by CCC Kishoreganj on 4 October at
the Barakhapan Government Primary School Auditorium, Kishoreganj.
Aiming at creating awareness among the mothers of the school-going
children this program also initiated measures to build a bridge
between the teachers and the parents to ensure better education
at the primary level. Presided over by the President of the School
Committee Musded Uddin, this program was attended by around 300
mothers. The function was also addressed, among others, by District
Education Officer Sultan Mia, Upazilla Education Officer Tahina
Khatun, Convener of the CCC Kishoreganj Khurshed Uddin Bhuiyan,
CCC Member Advocate Saiful Huq Molla and Maya Bhoumik. During
the discussions, it was observed that without the cooperation
of the mothers a congenial atmosphere to impart quality education
is not possible. The meeting also called upon the mothers to ensure
regular attendance of their children at school.
Later on 11
October, the CCC organized another parents-teachers meeting at
the local S V Government Girls High School Auditorium. TIBs Program
Officer Samapika Halder, Assistant Program Officer M Mohsin were
also present during this meeting.
Meeting
with local Municipal Corporation held in Madhupur
On 7 October,
CCC Madhupur, in association with TIB, held a discussion meeting
with the Chairman and other members of Modhupur Municipal Corporation.
This program was presided over by Professor Golam Samdani, Convener,
CCC Madhupur. The meeting discussed ways to improve the services
of the Municipal Corporation and to ensure transparency and accountability
in its activities. It also observed that members of the civil
society should be involved in the activities of the corporation.
30
September 2004
Working
Paper on Chittagong Port released
A working
paper on Chittagong Port was released on 28 September at the National
Press Club. The study report, prepared after a year’s research
on port activities from July 2003 to June 2004, said that officials
and workers of Chittagong port and customs took about Tk 783 crore
from importers and exporters as bribe and tips. Of the total illegal
transactions at the country's largest seaport, customs officials
take Tk 451 crore and port staffers Tk 332 crore. It is to be
mentioned here that the report marked the first comprehensive
study on Chittagong Port, analyzing all aspects and preparing
a set of recommendations to improve the situation to face the
challenges of continued traffic growth. Because of unbridled corruption,
irregularities and frequent strikes, the International Maritime
Bureau has identified the port as world's second most risky port,
the report said, adding that the cost of service in the seaport
is the highest in the world.
The report
detected that the importers and exporters have to bribe officials
at 37 points in the port and berthing a vessel requires filling
as many as 42 forms, while it is only seven forms in Malaysia's
Penang seaport. The shipping agents are compelled to pay bribes
or tips in 11 stages for permission for berthing a ship from the
port authorities and equipment operators stop handling and damage
containers unless they are paid tips fixed by the operators. The
tips-taking practice went without objection for long, turning
it into a lawful port charge, the report says.
The report
also came up with some recommendations to check the irregularities
at the port. It called for amendment of the Port Authority Act
1976 for making the port authority an autonomous body by reducing
influence of the shipping ministry, setting up a coordination
committee incorporating all stakeholders including the port users,
engaging private companies for worker supply and equipment handling,
giving responsibility to agents to appoint stevedoring staff,
drastically reducing red tape for import, installing closed-circuit
cameras to identify unscrupulous officers and check pilferage.
TIB's Trustee
Member Professor Muzaffer Ahmad was present during the report
release as Chief Guest while its Senior Program Officer Sydur
Rahman Molla presented the paper. Dr. Iftekharuzzamn, Executive
Director, TIB moderated the session which was attended, among
others, by business leaders, academics, politicians and journalists.
Induction
of new Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) held
The induction
of the executive committees of new CCCs of Rangpur, Kurigram and
Lalmonirhat areas was held on 16 September 2004 at the RDRS Auditorium
in Rangpur. Samson H. Chowdhury, Chairman, Board of Trustees,
TIB was present as the chief guest.
The TIB Chairman
in his speech underscored the necessity of creating awareness
at the grassroots level to fight corruption. It is through our
unity that we can fight together, Mr. Chowdhury said. He also
gave emphasis to the education sector saying that it is through
education that a nation can prosper.
The program
also was addressed, among others, by TIB's Executive Director
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, its Senior Program Officer Ekram Hossain
and Conveners of the new CCCs.
CCC
Activities
In Mymensingh
and Modhupur CCC areas, two conventions of the mothers were held.
The first convention was held in Mymensingh Sadar on 19 September
organized jointly by CCC and TIB. Held at a local primary school,
this unique convention was participated by a large number of mothers.
A similar program was also arranged in Modhupur, Tangail on 23
September. Both these programs were convened to create awareness
among the mothers and to build a bridge between the parents and
the teachers. The teachers and members of the managing committees
of the schools were also present.
On 23 September,
a meeting was held between the CCC of Jamalpur and the UNO of
Jamalpur to discuss the recently released report of TIB on Union
Parishads. The local UNO termed the report of TIB as authentic
and promised to improve the services of the Union Parishad. TIB's
Program Organizer Al Amin Miah was present during this meeting.
15
September 2004
Three
reports on Speedy Trial Court, Local Government and Land Administration
released
Transparency
International, Bangladesh (TIB) recently organized a series of
roundtable meetings to release three working papers on Speedy
Trial Court, Local Government and Land Administration during 12-14
September 2004. These programs were held at the CIRDAP Auditorium
at Topkhana Road, Dhaka.
On September
12, a report on the performance of Speedy Trial Court was released
under TIBs Court Watch Program. The report said that one-fourth
of cases under the Law and Order Disruption Crime (Speedy Trial)
Act 2002 were politically motivated. It also said that Judicial
staff including magistrates, lawyers and court clerks had fleeced
67.6 percent or over two-thirds of the defendants in cases filed
under this law. The study conducted in 2003 found about 23.4 percent
of the magistrates, 29.8 percent lawyers and 44.3 percent court
clerks wring money illegally from the accused in the cases.
TIB Trustee
Member and Treasurer Professor Muzaffer Ahmad presided over the
session while Mr. Abdul Alim, Research Officer, TIB presented
the paper. Later, Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju,
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Huq Inu, Ain-O-Salish
Kendra Executive Director Sultana Kamal and eminent Lawyer Shahdeen
Malik took part in the discussions.
Bangla summary:
PDF
format, Word
format
Bangla full version: PDF
format, Word
format
On 13 September,
a report on Local Government (Municipality and Union Parishad)
was released. The report, based on a survey conducted in greater
Mymensingg, was aimed at assessing the service of local government
bodies, condition of roads, cleanliness efforts and drainage system.
The report revealed that Poursavas and Union Parishads took bribes
from the people for different services such as approval of house
building plan and dispute resolution. The residents of these areas,
it added, expressed their resentments at various irregularities
and lack of civic amenities. It also said that about 63 percent
residents of pourasavas and over 71 percent in Union Parishads
are dissatisfied with the services of these two local government
bodies.
In its recommendations,
the report said that most local government representatives forget
their election pledges they made before the election. So it suggested
forming committees with professionals and noted citizens who would
work as pressure groups and remind them of their pledges. The
survey also found that the local government representatives could
not perform their duties properly because of inadequate fund and
human resources. It recommended raising allocation and providing
new source of income for the local government bodies.
The program
was chaired by Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, Treasurer and Member,
Board of Trustees, TIB while Dr. Ifekharuzzaman, Executive Director,
TIB was present. The report was presented by Sydur Rahman Molla,
Senior Program Officer, TIB. Atiur Rahman, senior research fellow
of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), MM Akash
of Economics Department, Dhaka University, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar,
country director of Hunger Project were also present and discussed
on the paper. Pourasava chairmen, UP members, and members of the
Committees of Concerned Citizens also attended the roundtable.
Another report
on Land Administration was released on September 14. The report
made some startling revelations about the Land Administration
of Bangladesh. It said that about ninety percent of households
are forced to bribe field level land officials for registration
of land as corruption and lack of transparency and accountability
reign supreme. The offices of assistant commissioner (AC) land,
sub-registrar, tahsildar, deed writer, Kanungu and settlement
officer exacted about Tk12.21 crore in bribe from service seekers.
It is to be mentioned that the survey was conducted in six municipalities
and 52 unions of greater Mymensingh region during October to November
last year. The report was presented by Sydur Rahman Molla, Senior
Program Officer, TIB while Prof Muzaffer Ahmad chaired the session.
TI
report calls for truly Independent Anti-Corruption Commission
and Ombudsman in Bangladesh
A report on
National Integrity Systems TI Country Study Report Bangladesh
2003 was released on 14 September at a press conference. It was
held at the National press Club. The National Integrity Systems
TI Country Study Report Bangladesh 2003 was prepared by TIB under
the auspices of a programme developed by the TI Secretariat. It
was the latest in a series of TI study reports on national integrity
systems. The report called for truly independent Anti-Corruption
Commission and Ombudsman in Bangladesh. It said that systematic
corruption posed a serious challenge to efforts to promote good
governance in Bangladesh and urgent steps are needed to address
issues like lack of laws on political party finance, poor service
conditions and low salary structure for public officials. The
report said that the Bureau of Anti-Corruption had been the main
agency responsible for controlling corruption, but its impact
had been blunted as it had been run out of the office of the prime
Minister and was subject to political influence. The report also
called for the immediate appointment of an Ombudsman.
CCC
activities
In Mymensingh,
the Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCC) and TIB jointly organized
a meeting with the newly elected Chairman and Commissioners of
the Municipal Corporation on 8 September at the local Muslim Institute
Auditorium. Chaired by Professor Shamsul Islam, a working paper
was presented at the program on behalf of the CCC. Aimed at creating
a corruption-free, transparent and accountable Municipal Corporation
in Mymensingh the meeting discussed ways to ensure more civic
amenities to its residents.
30
August 2004
Corruption
Database (July–December 2003) released
TIB released
another Corruption Database for the period of July–December
2003. The report was released through a press conference on 31
August at the National Press Club at Topkhana
Road, Dhaka. With the communications sector topping the graft-list,
the report said that the Government lost Tk 225 crore in just
253 out of a total 1,115 corruption incidents. Of the Tk. 225-crore
loss, 47 percent was government money, 41.9 percent of private
sector, 2.8 percent of non-government organisations and 3.6 percent
of donor agencies. Based on a database developed by monitoring
23 dailies of July to December 2003, the report underscored the
needs for forming an effective and independent anti-corruption
commission, prompt action against corrupt officials and instituting
an ombudsman to eradicate corruption. It was also observed that
the masses were the worst victims of corruption. The highest amount,
or 32.8 percent, of financial corruption was detected in the communications
sector, the second highest or 18.8 percent in food sector and
the third highest, 16.3 percent, in direct and indirect taxes.
In terms of number of corruption incidents, police topped the
list accounting for 15.18 percent, followed by local government
sector with 12 percent, education sector with 10.4 percent and
health and family planning sector with 10.1 percent. Corruption
was also found in finance, home affairs (excluding police), and
energy and mineral resources sector.
The report was presented by Mr. Abdul Alim, Research Officer,
TIB while Prof. Muzaffer Ahmed, Treasurer and Trustee Member of
TIB answered media queries. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, the newly appointed
Executive Director of TIB was also present.
Dr
Iftekharuzzaman TIB’s new Executive Director
Iftekharuzzaman,
PhD, has been appointed as Executive Director of TIB. He was earlier
Executive Director of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation. Dr. Zaman
served for four years from 1995 as Executive Director of the Regional
Centre for Strategic Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and before that
he worked with the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic
Studies for
19 years, as Senior Research Fellow and Research Director. He
worked for one year during 1989-1990 with the Department of International
Relations of the University of Tokyo as a post-
doctoral fellow. Dr. Zaman holds degrees from University of Dhaka
and Academy of Economics, Warsaw. Main areas of Dr. Zaman’s
interest are development, politics, security and
cooperation in South Asia in general and Bangladesh in particular,
on which he has published extensively in and outside Bangladesh.
Activities
of Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs)
In Mymensingh,
the regular meeting of the Volunteers’ Group was held on
23 August. The meeting was convened to discuss issues related
to the upcoming meeting between the volunteers
and the newly elected members of the Municipal Corporation. Uzzal
Bhattacharjee, Counselor, Advice and Information Center (AIC)
discussed on the services and activities of the Center.
In Kishoreganj,
Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC) and TIB jointly organised
a meeting with the newly elected Chairman and Commissioners of
the Municipal Corporation on 30 August. This meeting was arranged
in a view to creating a corruption-free, transparent and accountable
Municipal Corporation in Kishoreganj. Held at the Municipal Library
Auditorium,
the program was presided over by Mr. Khurshed Uddin Bhuiyan, Convener,
CCC Kishoreganj while Advocate Ashok Sarkar, Member, CCC, moderated.
On 26 August, Kiishoreganj CCC and
TIB held a discussion meeting at the Barakhapon Government Primary
School Auditorium on how to ensure quality education at the primary
level. The meeting focused on issues related to
early dropout, management of school committees and the role of
parents to ensure excellence in education. It was presided over
by M Mukhseduddin, President, the School Managing
Committee. The meeting was also addressed, among others, by Advocate
Ashok Sarkar, Member, CCC, Advocate Maya Bhoumik, Member, CCC
and M Atiqur Rahman, Programme
Organiser, TIB. It was viewed, during the discussion, that civil
society had a role to play to improve the quality of education.
In Jamalpur,
CCC and TIB jointly organised a discussion meeting with the newly
elected members of the Municipal Corporation on 23 August. Held
at the conference room of the Corporation the meeting was attended
by the newly elected Chairman and Commissioners of the Municipality.
Presided over by Advocate Nazrul Islam Dulu the meeting was also
addressed, among others, by Advocate Shah M Wares Ali Mamun, Professor
Mojibor Rahman, Meer Ansar Ali, Sukumar Chowdhury, Advocate Shamim
Ara, Hasanur Rahman Khan, M A Awal, Shahinur Rahman, AAK Mahmudul
Hasan Dara and Al-Amin Mia. The speakers, in their speeches, presented
their views on various civic issues and amenities of the municipal
area and called upon the Municipal Corporation to improve the
quality of services.
The CCC of
Madhupur area held a meeting with the Managing Committee of Alokdia
Government Primary High School on 26 August. The meeting discussed
on ways to improve the
quality of education as well as preventing dropouts. The regular
meeting of the Madhupur CCC was held on 23 August. It decided
to hold meeting with the doctors of the Upazilla Health
Complex. A meeting of the Volunteers’ Group was also held
on the same day.
The Volunteers’
Group of Muktagacha CCC held a meeting on 24 August. The meeting
decided to introduce new quiz competitions for 5 local schools.
This program would commence soon, the meeting decided.
15
August 2004
A
CCC drive to help the flood victims
The volunteers
of Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCC), Mymensingh have recently
taken various initiatives to help the flood-affected people of
the district. On August 5, the volunteers distributed relief materials
among the flood-affected students of Char Durgapur Government
Primary School of Mymensingh. Counselor of TIB’s Advice
& Information Center Uzzal Bhattacharjee, Assistant Program
Officer Md. Mohsin and Program Organizer Faisal Mustafizur Rahman
were present. It was also participated by M Ajharul Islam and
Enayet Kabir of the Volunteer’s Group. The Headmistress
of the school Rahima Akhter assisted the TIB team.
A
seminar on vaccination held
On August
11, a seminar on vaccination was held at the CCC of Mymensingh
area. It was conducted by Jakir Hossain, a Senior Medical Promotion
Officer of Glaxo Bangladesh. Mr. Hossain, during his presentation,
talked about some fatal diseases like Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox
and Typhoid and discussed ways to prevent them through vaccination.
A total of 45 volunteers took part in it. The next meeting of
the Volunteers’ Group will be held on 25 August at 4.00
p.m.
On 9 August,
the CCC of Nalitabri held a program for the volunteers. M A Hakam
Hira, Convener of CCC Nalitabari discussed on the history of Sherpur
district. The regular quiz competition was also held. Later a
cultural program was held. The program was attended, among others,
by Monjuara Begum, CCC Member, S M Atikur Rahman, Programme Organizer,
TIB, Lucky Rahman, a local social worker and Babu Shajal Chandra
Saha, a former Commissioner of the municipality area.
A similar program was held by the Nalitabari CCC earlier on 2
August. A speech competition was held during this program along
with the regular quiz competition.
30
July 2004
Advocate Shamsul Haque remembered
A condolence
meeting was held on July 19 to mourn the sudden demise of Advocate
Shamsul Haque, a renowned social worker and politician, a former
Member of Parliament and Convener of the Community of Concerned
Citizens (CCC) of Muktagacha, Mymensingh. Held at the Muktagacha
Municipal Library Auditorium, the meeting was attended by CCC
members, local law practitioners, women-rights activists, social
workers, teachers and politicians. The audience also included
a large number of local people. The meeting began with observing
a one-minute silence. TIB’s Senior Programme Officer Ekram
Hossain while paying his tribute termed Advocate Haque as a man
of honour and dedication. The meeting was also addressed, among
others, by Shapan Kumar Das, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Bulbul,
Poritosh Kar, Ekhlasur Rahman Jewel, Abdul Hye Akand, Shjahan
Ali Khan, Dr. Safiruddin, Razia Khatun, Shafiullah Sarker, Shashanka
Mohon Dey, Samapika Halder and Md. Tarek.
Drive
to help the flood victims
On July 28,
the regular meeting of the CCC and TIB’s Volunteer Group
of Mymensingh Sadar was held. The meeting decided to help the
flood victims and called upon its members to donate for this.
It also decided to raise a fund to help the flood affected people.
The meeting was jointly moderated by TIB’s Assistant Programme
Officer Karuna Kishore Chakravarty and Programme Organizer Faisal
Mustanfizur Rahman. A general quiz competition was also held later.
Earlier on
26 July a similar volunteers' meeting was held in Madhupur, Tangail.
This meeting focused on a proposed workshop on IT sector which
would be jointly organized by TIB and Youth Ending Hunger Project.
The Youth Ending Hunger Project made some proposals aiming at
skill-development of the volunteers. It was also decided that
an IT Club would be established for the volunteers after the proposed
workshop.
In Nalitabari,
the volunteers arranged a series of programmes in observance of
the Volunteer’s Day. As a part of this ongoing programme,
a cultural function was arranged on 19 July 2004. Besides, a story-telling
competition was also held. A similar programme was also arranged
on 26 July.
15
July 2004
New
measures to strengthen activities of Committee of Concerned Citizens
(CCC) in Madhupur, Tangail
A meeting
was held on 8 July at the CCC office of Madhupur to find ways
to strengthen its activities. Some local NGO workers were also
present. The meeting was Chaired by CCC Convener, Golam Samdani
while TIB’s Program Officer Samapika Halder was present.
The meeting discussed CCC activities that took place in recent
days. It was decided that CCC should initiate more programs and
activities in remote areas to create awareness against corruption.
The meeting also decided to involve other NGO staff in this regard.
Volunteers'
day observed in Nalitabari
The volunteers
of CCC Nalitabari area as a part of its various awareness activities
observed 7 July 2004 as Volunteer’s Day. A meeting was held
where Ruknuzzaman Jewel, leader of the Volunteer’s presided
over and it was conducted by Khandakar Nahid Hasan. The meeting
started with volunteers discussing news published on newspapers.
A set-speech program was also held. It was decided that the volunteers
would invite the local UNO in its activities from now on. It also
decided to initiate new outreach programs and publish a wall magazine
on regular basis. The meeting also expressed its deep shock at
the sudden demise of Advocate Shamsul Haque, the Convener of Modhupur
CCC.
30
June 2004
New Committees
of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) formed in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and
Kurigram
As a part
of its ongoing National Integrity Program, Phase- 2, TIB has recently
formed 3 more CCCs in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram areas.
On June 1,
a 13-member Committee was formed in Rangpur with Sadrul Alam as
the Convener. An eleven-member Committee was formed in Lalmonirhat
on 2 June with Moinul Islam as its Convener. And in Kurigram,
a Committee was formed with Enamul Haque Chowdhury as its Convener
on 3 June 2004. Details of these Committees are given below:
Rangpur
Committee
Convener:
Sadrul Alam
Members: Mohammad Afjal, Advocate Mohammad Shamsuzzaman,
Professor Reza Shah Toufiqur Rahman, Marhamatunnesa, Md. Kuddus
Ali, Rezaul Karim, Samshad Begum, Dr. Mofizul Islam, Ariful Haque
Ruju, Dr. Shashshoto Vhattacharya, Moshfequa Razzak and Advocate
Inunnahar.
Lalmonirhat
Committee
Convener:
Md. Moinul Islam
Members: Nuruzzaman Khondokar, Captain (retd.) Ajijul
Haque – Bir Pratik, Advocate Md. Moijul Islam, Amirul Hayat
Ahmed, Mokhter Hossain, Sultan Ara, Abdur Rob Sujon, Shopna Zaman,
Jahangir Alam Shaheen and Ashrafuzzaman Mandal.
Kurigram
Committee
Convener:
Advocate Enamul Haque Chowdhury
Members: K.S. Ali Ahmed, Samiul Haque, Rabindranath Roy,
Md. Shabuddin, Shamsunnahar Chowdhury, Dr. Moudud Hossain, Shafi
Khan, Abdul Khaleque Faruk, Shamol Bhoumik, Shandhya Chowdhury
and Yusuf Alamgir.
Discussion
on budget held in Mymensingh
In Mymensingh,
Community of Concerned Citizens (CCC) and TIB’s Volunteer
Group held a discussion on the proposed budget of the year 2003-04
on 23 June. A working paper was also presented by Mohammad Abdur
Rab Fakir, an economics student of local Anandamohan College and
a TIB volunteer.
Karuna Kishore
Chakravorty, Assistant Programme Officer, TIB moderated the event
and gave answers to various questions of the volunteers about
the budget. The volunteers of TIB hoped that the government would
chalk out more elaborated plans to enhance its revenue collection
system. They also called upon the government to initiate measures
to establish an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, improve
the law and order situation and to ensure transparency in all
sectors. A total of 45 volunteers participated in this program.
The CCC also arranged a quiz competition on the same day.
People’s
Theatre Group also arranged two discussion meetings on
22 and 29 June. TIB’s Assistant Program Officer Karuna Kishore
Chakravorty and leader of the People’s Theatre Group Tridib
Barman Ripon were present during these meetings. It is to be mentioned
here that the Theatre Group is now implementing its June-August
work-plan and all its activities are guided accordingly.
Workshop
on Journalism
Youth Ending
Hunger, Mymensingh Unit is organizing a workshop on journalism
in Mymensingh where a total of 20 TIB Volunteers are taking part.
The 5-day workshop, which will be held on every Friday, started
on 11 June and will continue till 9 July. Mr. S.M. Mukhlesur Rahman,
a faculty of Anandamohon College has been conducting the whole
workshop as the Chief trainer with assistance from Subrata Kumar
Paul, Trainer, Youth Ending Hunger. TIB’s office staff in
Mymensingh are also assisting.
TIB’s
move in Nalitabari to improve the quality of education
TIB recently
has initiated various measures to improve the quality of education
in schools through advocacy campaigns. As a part of this effort,
a discussion meeting was held in the premises of Charu Government
Primary School, Nalitabari on 27 June 2004. The members of the
local CCC and the school committee were present while Jobaida
Khatun, President of the School Committee presided. The meeting
discussed on existing problems of the education sector including
number of students and other amenities provided by the school
authority. Later a monitoring cell was formed to observe and prevent
the dropout rate in schools.
CCC of Nalitabari
has also launched a quiz programme ‘Quiz Quiz’ for
its volunteers in a drive to create awareness against corruption.
Besides, this quiz competition aims at teaching them about the
history and heritage of Bangladesh.
30
April 2004
CCC Muktagacha:
Meeting journalists & celebrating Pahela Baishakh with Poetry
Session
Community
of Concerned Citizens (CCC) of Muktagacha area held a discussion
meeting with the local journalists on 12 April 2004 at 5.00 p.m.
The local representatives of the local and national newspapers
at Muktagacha were present. The meeting underscored the role of
media in curbing corruption. It concluded that journalists could
play an important role in projecting various CCC activities. The
meeting was addressed, among others, by Akhi Kundu, Field Organizer,
TIB, Karuna Kishore Chakravorty, Programme Assistant, TIB, and
Advocate Shamsul Haque.
On 15 April,
a poetry recitation session was held to celebrate the Bengali
New Year. It was arranged by the volunteers of TIB. A total of
9 participants took part in the programme. A quiz competition
was also held where two teams contested. Renowned local poet and
cultural activist of Muktagacha, Razia Sultana was present at
this lively programme.
Projection
meetings for contestants of the Municipal Chairman Election
On
May 2, a public meeting was held at the Muslim Institute Auditorium
in Mymensingh Sadar to introduce the contestants for Municipal
Chairman Election. The event was jointly organized by the local
CCC and TIB. Chaired by Professor Shamsul Islam, the meeting was
addressed by all the contending candidates, viz: by Advocate Mahmud
Al Noor Tareq, candidate backed by Awami League and the present
Chairman, Manjurul Haque Manju, candidate of Four Party Alliance,
Advocate Emdadul Haque Millat, CPB candidate, Monir Chowdhury,
Jatiya Party (Ershad) candidate, ATM Jahid Hasnat Bulbul, Bikalpa
Dhara candidate, and Mahbubul Haque Khasru, an independent candidate.
The speakers at the meeting stressed that voting is a fundamental
right of the citizens but the right should be exercised judiciously.
They should remain alert about the candidates' promises and their
sincerity while casting votes. Booklets containing relevant information
about the candidates were also distributed among the audience.
Later, an awareness rally was brought out.
Meetings were
also arranged on the same day in Jamalpur and Modhupur areas.
In Jamalpur, the programme was arranged at the Central Shahidminar
where all contestants for local Chairman election were present.
The four contestants who sat on the dais were Advocate Shah Md.
Wares Aki Mamun, Advocate Amanullah Akash, Delwar Hossain Delu,
and Akram Hossain. The candidates, in their speeches, presented
their views and programmes on various civic issues and amenities
and said that, if elected, they would to improve the quality of
services by Municipal Corporation. The program was chaired by
Advocate Nazrul Islam Dulu, Convener, CCC Jamalpur, and local
District Commissioner Shah Alam Bakshi was present as the Chief
Guest. Shamapika Halder, Programme Officer, TIB, was also present.
At Modhupur, three contestants were present and booklets containing
their profiles were distributed. The contestants were Khandakar
Abdul Gafur Montu, Mohammad Sanowar Hossain and Sarkar Shahidul
Islam Shahid. Local political leaders were present at this meeting.
TIB's Senior Programme Officer Ekram Hossain also addressed the
rally.
Earlier on
30 April, a similar projection meeting was held at the Kishoreganj
Public Library Auditorium. Two Chairman Contestants Mr. Abu Taher
Miah and Mr. Majharul Islam were present. The meeting discussed
various problems of the Municipal areas and asked for the opinion
of the contestants.
All these
programs were organized by the local CCCs in collaboration with
TIB.
15
April 2004
TIB delegation
calls on the Land Minister
A
TIB delegation comprising of its Director, Policy and Research
Dr. Iftekhar Hossain and Team Associate Mohammed Imam Uddin made
a courtesy call on M Shamsul Islam, Minister for Land on 13 April
2004. The delegation apprised the Minister about various programmes
of TIB. The team also discussed about the present state of land
administration of Bangladesh. It is to be noted that TIB is about
to publish a report on land administration soon.
People's
Theater launches membership drives in Mymensingh
TIB
has always promoted drama as a tool in its advocacy programmes
to make people aware of the devious ways of corruption and how
to fight it at the grassroots levels. Recently, TIB and CCC of
Mymensingh Sadar have jointly taken an initiative to procure new
members for the People's Troupe. In this effort to recruit new
members TIB and CCC representatives met student aspirants at various
degree colleges and in the local press club.
CCC meets
politicians in Tangail
Community
of Concerned Citizens (CCC) of Tangail district held a meeting
with the local leaders of Awami League on 10 April 2004 at the
office of the Truck Owners' Association in Tangail. The meeting
discussed TIB programmes and sought cooperation of the local politicians
for curbing corruption. The meeting was Chaired by CCC Convener,
Professor Golam Samdani. Mr. Ekram Hossain, TIB's Senior Programme
Officer addressed the audience and gave details of TIB's activities
and its future plans in the CCC areas. The Awami League leaders
took keen interest in TIB programmes and requested similar meetings
in future. The meeting was also attended, among others, by Mr.
Khandakar Shafiuddin, President of Awami League, Modhupur unit,
Mr. Sarwar Alam Khan Abu, General Secretary of AL, Mr. Khandaker
Abdul Gafur, a Municipal Corporation Chairman-contestant, Ms.
Shamapika Haldar, TIB's Program Officer, Karuna Kishore Chakraborty,
Program Assistant, TIB and members of the local CCC.
Earlier on
31 May 2004, a similar meeting with the local BNP leaders along
with the UP Chairman was arranged to exchange views with the CCC
members.
CCC discourse
on the effects of advertisement
On
April 13, 2004, the Volunteers' Group of Kishoreganj CCC held
a discussion meeting on 'Adverse Effects of Advertisement' with
CCC member Najmunnahar Molly in the Chair. A discussion was held
on the keynote paper 'Advertisement and Perceptions' written by
Binoy Ghosh, a Sociologist.
Participants
at the meeting talked about the adverse effect of some commercial
advertisements on the T.V. and in the newspapers and cautioned
everybody present to remain alert about such advertisements causing
moral confusion and ambivalence.
30
March 2004
Independence
Day Observed in Mymensingh and Tangail
A
discussion meeting titled 'Bangladesher Swadhinota: Attya Shamikhkha
(The Independence of Bangladesh: A Self Scrutiny)' was held on
24 March 2004 in Mymensingh. The program was organized by the
Volunteers' Group of TIB's Mymensingh zone. Mr. Habibur Rahman
Noman, a volunteer, presented the keynote-paper as resource person
while eminent journalist and a member of CCC Mr. Momtaz Uddin
were present as the Chief Guest. Mr. Hazi Shah Abdullahey Mannan,
a local High School teacher and TIB's Program Assistant Karuna
Kishore Chakravorty also addressed the function. Later, the volunteers
took part in an open-discussion session. They expressed their
willingness to learn the true history of the liberation war and
called upon the Government to initiate measures to open a website
regarding the war of independence. A cultural program followed
the discussion.
At Modhupur
of Tangail district, the CCC and the Volunteers' Group jointly
brought out a wall-magazine 'Chatona' in observance of the Independence
and National Day. The beautifully illustrated magazine carried
articles, poems, short stories on various aspects of the liberation
war and also some jokes against corruption.
People's Theatre: Laal Shobujer Deshey staged in Mymensingh
TIB's People's Theatre Group in collaboration with Mymensing's
CCC office staged their second production 'Laal Shobujer Deshey'
on March 26, 2004 at the Khagdohor Hossain Memorial High School
premises. TIB's Senior Program Officer (Advocacy) and eminent
actress Rokeya Prachy and Program Assistant Karuna Kishore Chakravorty
introduced the program. The audience, comprising of more than
700 spectators including the local Union Parishad Chairman Wakiluddin
Ahmed, enjoyed the show. 'Laal Shobujer Deshey' is a portrayal
of the corruptions that prevail in various sectors of social life
like police, lower judiciary, education and health. It also attempted
to unveil the corrupt nature of some politicians. Those who performed
in the play included Tridib, Apu, Rusho, Mahbub, Molina, Naser,
Partha, Shajib, Mosharraf and Goutam.
DFID delegation meets TIB's Volunteers' and People's Theatre
Groups
A
joint meeting of the Mymensingh's CCC, TIB's Volunteers' and People's
Theatre Groups and DFID delegation was held on March 28, 2004.
Ms. Sarah White, Ms. Ena Miles, Ms. B Parks and Ms. Tasnim represented
the DFID team while Mr. Ekram Hossain, Ms. Shamapika Haldar and
Mr. Karuna Kishore Chakravorty represented TIB. The meeting started
with Mr. Karuna Kishore Chakravorty briefing the DFID delegation,
in details, about the Volunteers' and People's Theatre Groups
and its various activities. The delegation asked questions to
the members regarding their successes, future plans and problems.
A lively cultural program was also arranged after the meeting.
Around 40 members were present.
DFID team
visits Modhupur
On
30 March 2004, DFID's Governance Advisor Ms. B Parks along with
some TIB officials visited the CCC office in Modhupur area and
spent the whole day there. The team held talks with different
groups of people including Upazilla Assistant Commissioner (Land),
Local Upazilla Education Officer, officers of a local NGO 'Nijera
Kori', the tribal groups of Jalchatra area, local teachers and
members of the civil society. TIB's Program Officer Mr. Ekram
Hossain, Program Assistant Karuna Kishore Chakravorty and local
CCC Covener Professor Golam Samdani were present. Ms. Parks also
held talks with around 50 local people from different professions
about anti-corruption activities, its outcome and its future plans
as to how to curb and control it.
15
March 2004
Round-Table
Discussion on Police Stations
A round table discussion on Diagnostic Study on Police Stations
was held on 4 March under the auspices of TIB, prompting leading
civil society members to call for immediate reforms of the police
force. Held at the capital's CIRDAP Auditorium, the report was
presented by the TIB Director Dr. Iftekhar Hossain and Research
Associate Md. Abdul Alim.
About 98.5 percent residents of metropolises and vast majority
at district and upazila levels are equally dissatisfied with the
service of police, the report revealed. Police should be at the
service of people and act as a friend and service provider, but
the law-enforcers have now emerged as "repressors, corrupt,
human rights violators", it added.
Commenting
on the findings of the survey, speakers sought a proactive role
of the civil society to make police efficient. They expressed
concern over the 'over-performance' of the police, who they said
usually did not perform according to the law.
Presided over
by TIB Chairman Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, Gono Forum President
Dr Kamal Hossain, Prof Muzaffar Ahmed, Member, TIB Board of Trustees,
Former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru, Ruling BNP legislator
Abdul Mannan, Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shaheed, Awami League
Whip Faruk Khan, former cabinet secretary Mojibul Houqe, former
secretary Dr Shawkat Ali and former inspector general of police
Golam Kibria, among others took part in the discussion.
The study suggested reforms in the 1861 police regulation act,
to raise the salaries of policemen, recruit adequate police, end
the use of police for political purposes, activate the monitoring
system and providing them with modern equipment and introduce
a computerized data processing system.
Volunteers' Meeting
A TIB volunteers' meeting was held at the Mymensingh CCC office
on 10 March. The theme of the meeting was "Women's Rights
in Bangladesh". Advocate Rokeya Begum, President of Bangladesh
Mahila Parishad Mymensingh unit was present as chief guest. Member
of CCC Mymensingh Kanij Gofrani Koraishi (Kanti) and Niamul Kabir
Sajal were present as special guests. Thirty volunteers spontaneously
discussed the issue and expressed their interest to work alongside
TIB. A cultural program was also arranged at the end of meeting.
A similar meeting was held at Community Development Library (CDL)
of Nalitabari on 8 March. Convenor of CCC Nalitabari M A Hakam
Hira presided over the meeting.
30
February 2004
TIB Chairman's
Statement on Anti-corruption Commission Act 2004
On
17 February, few hours ahead of the passage of the Anti-corruption
Commission Bill 2004 into law, TIB organized a press conference
in its office. TIB expressed its opinion that the bill did not
provide for an independent anti-corruption commission as demanded
by civil society. As it will not enjoy any financial privilege
in the way the Election Commission and the Office of Comptroller
and Auditor General does, its activities will be affected. Professor
Murshid said. "It will become a submissive and ineffective
body like the Bureau of Anti-Corruption." TIB Chairman feared
that the government might influence appointment of the commissioners,
as the bill did not have any provision for inclusion of a representative
from the opposition in the selection panel.
However, later
Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid commended the good sense of the
government in dropping the provision exempting government officials
from prosecution without previous sanction of the government,
which makes for a significant qualitative change in the law finally
enacted.
Three journalists
Receive Investigative Journalism Award
TIB
awarded the Investigative Journalism Award -2003 to three journalists
of the print media for their effort in exposing corruption through
investigative reports. This award was announced on 29 February.
Prizes were distributed among the winners at an unostentatious
ceremony held at the Women's Voluntary Association at Dhanmondi,
Dhaka. Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, Chairman of TIB chaired
the award ceremony. Theotonius Gomez, Assistant Bishop of Dhaka,
Poet Shamsur Rahman and TIB trustee Professor Muzaffer Ahmad were
present at the occasion.
Senior Reporter
of the Daily Janakantha, Sharifuzzaman and Senior Reporter of
the Daily Star-Zayadul Ahsan jointly received the first prize.
Liton Haider, Staff Reporter, the Daily Bhorer kagoj won the second
position.
Zayadul was
awarded for his investigative report titled 'Murky way to millions'
that brought to light how Titas Gas meter readers become millionaires
through rampant corruption. The Daily Star published the series
report in May 2002.
Sharifuzzaman
received the award for exposing various misleading facts in the
textbooks through a series report titled 'Boroder boi Ja Shekhachhey'
(what textbook teaches) published in the Janakhantha during January
and February 2002.
Liton got
the award for his investigative report titled 'Kara Durnitee'
exposing corruption, irregularities and mismanagement in the prison.
The report was published in Bhorer Kagoj in August 2002.
Both Zayadul
and Sharifuzzaman received cheques for Tk. 50,000 each, certificates
and crests while Liton got a cheque for Tk. 10,000 with a certificate
and a crest.
The panel
of judges for the Investigative Journalism Award 2003 comprised
journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Dr Asif Nazrul and Dr. Arefin
Siddique of Dhaka University, Financial Express Editor Moazzem
Hossain and writer Selina Hossain.
30
January 2004
Focus Group
Discussion on Ombudsman
Transparency International Bangladesh has drafted a working paper
on Ombudsman in Bangladesh. In this regard a focus group discussion
was arranged on 28 January 2004 at TIB office in Gulshan to solicit
views and add value to the draft working paper. Professor Khan
Sarwar Murshid, Chairman, Board of Trustees, TIB presided over
the meeting, while Professor Muzaffer Ahmad highlighted the salient
features of the working paper. Golam Rabbani, Former Justice,
Appellate Division, Former Deputy Speaker Md Ali Ashraf, Abdul
Mannan MP, Former IGP Abdul Khaleque, Joint Editor of Prothom
Alo Abdul Quayum, Professor A T M Obaidullah among others were
present at the meeting. Dr. Asif Nazrul, Consultant, TIB and Shamaila
Mahbub, Research Associate of TIB were also present during the
discussion.
15
January 2004
Workshop
A workshop on Encouraging Volunteers towards Anti-Corruption
Movement was held at the Bhawal National Park in Gazipur
on 15 January. Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, Chairman, Board
of Trustees, TIB, Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, Member, Board of Trustees,
programme officials of TIB and around two hundred volunteers were
present at the workshop. TIB Chairman inaugurated the program.
TIB volunteer and a student of Dhaka University Tanim Nawshad
presented the keynote paper titled Qualities of a Good Leader.
Programme Officer of TIB Ekram Hossain facilitated the workshop.
Meeting
with the President of Chittagong Chamber
TIB Research Officer Sydur Rahman Molla had a meeting with the
President of Chittagong Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCCI)
on 12 January. The meeting was held at chambers office. Discussions
regarding difficulties of port took place at the meeting. The
President gave assurance of all-out cooperation in this regard.
15
December 2003
Study circle
Reports Released
TIB and Madhupur CCC have jointly organized a meeting for launching
reports on study circle discussions on Transparency and Accountability
in Primary Education and Primary Health Service. The meeting was
held on 11 December at Rani Bhabani Pilot High school premises
of Madhupur in Tangail followed by an anti-corruption procession.
Presided over
by the local CCC Convener Professor Md. Golam Samdani, Chairman
of TIB Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid was present as chief guest
at the meeting. In his speech, TIB Chairman said that corruption
is the main obstacle to development. He further added that curbing
corruption should be given the first priority if the image of
the country is to be salvaged. He urged to make a coordinated
effort to fight corruption.
Resident Director
of National Democratic Institute (NDI) Dr. Owen Lippert and Principal
Sekander Hiat were present as special guests. Besides, Abdul Momen
Program Coordinator of NDI, Ekram Hossain, Program Officer of
TIB, local politicians Bappu Siddiqui and Nurul Islam Raj. Samapika
Halder Program Associate of TIB among others spoke on the occasion.
December
9th, henceforth International Anti-Corruption Day
The UN Convention against Corruption, was signed on 9 December
in Merida, Mexico, is a milestone for global efforts to combat
graft, says Transparency International. The Convention's signing
ceremony on December 9th, recently designated International Anti-Corruption
Day by the UN General Assembly, is the result of a three-year
effort by 129 countries to take global action against corruption.
"The
Convention will provide a comprehensive set of standards and measures
to promote international co-operation and domestic efforts in
the fight to prevent corruption," said Peter Eigen, Chairman
of Transparency International, was speaking in Merida on 8th December.
"The Convention addresses glaring inadequacies in two of
the most critical tools for combating international corruption:
mutual legal assistance and repatriation of funds sent abroad
by corrupt officials," Eigen said.
Over the three
years of negotiations, the UN Convention was watered down in other
ways: an important article which required state parties to make
the funding of political parties transparent and accountable was
replaced by a weak optional provision. A provision calling on
states to criminalize bribery in the private sector was made non-mandatory.
Still, the inclusion of private sector corruption in the text
at least made clear that corporate corruption is of major concern
globally.
TI welcomes
the inclusion in the UN General Assembly resolution to adopt the
Convention, of a decision to designate December 9th as the annual
International Anti-Corruption Day.
People's
Theatre
Two performances of the people's theatre play 'Asiraner Bangladesh'
were staged on 9 December at Kali Bazar and at Satrsia Bazar of
Mymensingh. An audience of around seven hundred spectators enjoyed
the show.
'Relief' was
staged in two separate locations on 10 December at Kakarkandi
bazar and Adaiani bazar of Nalitabari. Staged by the Nalitabari
People's Theatre Group of TIB, this play depicted the irregularities,
mismanagement and corruption in relief distribution in the country.
Around six hundred spectators enjoyed these two shows.
30
November 2003
Report
on Nalitabari Health Complex
Pregnant women have to pay for their maternity care and treatment
at the Nalitabari Upazila Health Complex in Sherpur district.
This was revealed in a research report compiled by CCC Nalitabari
and TIB. The report stated that the general patients become victims
of neglect by the doctors as they remain busy with their private
practice. The report was formally released on November 20 through
a discussion meeting at the Nalitabari CCC office.
M A Hakam
Hira, Convenor of CCC, presided over the meeting. AZM Zohurul
Islam, civil surgeon of Sherpur, Nazmul Hassan Khan, Upazila Nirbahi
Officer, Habibullah Siddique, Health Officer, Ekram Hossain, Programme
Officer of TIB, Samedul Islam Talukder, Kiron Dutta and Kohinoor
Ruma, Members of CCC, journalists, public representatives, and
officials of non-government organizations were present.
The report
stated that the doctors care little for the patients unless they
pay money. They examine only the well-off patients, ignoring the
poor ones. The staffs of the hospital take money to undertake
few pathological tests though those were supposed to be free of
cost, the report revealed. The outdoors of the complex is dirty
and full of bad smell. Patients are also forced to pay for minor
operation while there is no operation theatre for major surgery.
The research was conducted at the end of last year in the form
of group discussion and the researchers posing as patients also
collected information.
30
October 2003
CPI Released
Bangladesh was placed at the bottom of the list in the new
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2003 of Transparency International,
out of a total of 133 countries which was released in London on
October 7. Bangladesh was rated 1.3 on a scale of 10 while Nigeria
was rated as the second most corrupt country scoring 1.4. Sri
Lanka, India and Pakistan were placed well above Bangladesh with
3.4, 2.8 and 2.5 index scores. Finland topped the CPI list with
9.7 marks, making it a 'highly clean' country. Iceland, Denmark,
New Zealand, Sweden and Singapore all had CPI scores above 9.
"Rich
countries must provide practical support to governments of the
developing country that demonstrate the political will to curb
corruption. In addition, those countries starting with a high
degree of corruption should not be penalized, since they are in
the most urgent need of support" said Peter Eigen, Chairman
of Transparency International (TI), speaking on the launch of
the CPI.
The CPI 2003
published, is a poll of polls, reflecting the perceptions of business
people, academics and risk analysts, both resident and non-resident.
First launched in 1995, this year's CPI draws on 17 surveys from
13 independent institutions. A rolling survey of polls taken between
2001 and 2003, the CPI 2003 includes only those countries that
feature in at least three surveys. "It is important to emphasize
that the CPI, even with 133 countries, is only a snapshot,"
said Peter Eigen. "There is not sufficient data on other
countries, many of which are likely to be very corrupt."
For full details of the CPI 2003, visit
http://www.transparency.org/cpi/index.html#cpi
Workshop
on Report Card
A workshop on report card for land administration, municipality
and union parishad was held at the Training and Research Center
(TARC) of BRAC at Madhupur from 30 September to 02 October. Field
Assistants and Field Supervisors of TIB were present at the workshop.
TIB's Research Officer Sydur Rahman Molla facilitated the workshop.
TIB officials Ekram Hossain, Habibur Rahman Chowdhury, Karuna
Kishore Chakrabarty, Al-Amin, Mohsin and Rafiqul Islam were present
as the resource persons.
People's Theatre Acclaimed by Rajshahi Audience
Around a thousand spectators assembled at the folklore premises
of Rajshahi University to enjoy the presentation of an anti-corruption
play Relief staged by the Nalitabari People's Theatre of TIB on
15 October. The people's Theatre received adulation of the spectators
by performing both at Court premises and at Shaheb Bazar of Rajshahi.
'Friends of TIB' organized the program.
TIB officials
and the artistes of the theatre group sat at a meeting with the
student and teachers of Folklore Department of Chittagong University
on 15 October to exchange views. Held at the department auditorium,
discussions were held during the meeting on future cooperation
in addition to sharing experiences. Folklore Department gave assurance
of all-out cooperation in this regard. Dr. Abul Hasan Chowdhury,
Dr. Mobara Siddika and Dr. Akther Hossain of Folklore Department,
Outreach Relations Officer of TIB Mohammad Imam Uddin, Coordinator
Theatre Kamal Hossain Mintu, and member of CCC Nalitabari Samedul
Islam Talukder were also present.
Advocacy
Meeting in Mymensingh
An advocacy meeting was arranged by CCC (Mymensingh) at the office
of Upazila Education Officer on 14 October for discouraging corruption
in primary education. Upazila Education Officer Shafiqul Islam,
CCC members Prof. Zatin Sarker, Sharifuzzaman Parag and Program
Assistant of TIB Karuna Kishore Chakrabarty were present at the
meeting.
15
October 2003
CPI Released
Bangladesh was placed at the bottom of the list in the new
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2003 of Transparency International,
out of a total of 133 countries which was released in London on
October 7. Bangladesh was rated 1.3 on a scale of 10 while Nigeria
was rated as the second most corrupt country scoring 1.4. Sri
Lanka, India and Pakistan were placed well above Bangladesh with
3.4, 2.8 and 2.5 index scores. Finland topped the CPI list with
9.7 marks, making it a 'highly clean' country. Iceland, Denmark,
New Zealand, Sweden and Singapore all had CPI scores above 9.
"Rich
countries must provide practical support to governments of the
developing country that demonstrate the political will to curb
corruption. In addition, those countries starting with a high
degree of corruption should not be penalized, since they are in
the most urgent need of support" said Peter Eigen, Chairman
of Transparency International (TI), speaking on the launch of
the CPI.
The CPI 2003
published, is a poll of polls, reflecting the perceptions of business
people, academics and risk analysts, both resident and non-resident.
First launched in 1995, this year's CPI draws on 17 surveys from
13 independent institutions. A rolling survey of polls taken between
2001 and 2003, the CPI 2003 includes only those countries that
feature in at least three surveys. "It is important to emphasize
that the CPI, even with 133 countries, is only a snapshot,"
said Peter Eigen. "There is not sufficient data on other
countries, many of which are likely to be very corrupt."
For full details of the CPI 2003, visit
http://www.transparency.org/cpi/index.html#cpi
Workshop
on Report Card
A workshop on report card for land administration, municipality
and union parishad was held at the Training and Research Center
(TARC) of BRAC at Madhupur from 30 September to 02 October. Field
Assistants and Field Supervisors of TIB were present at the workshop.
TIB's Research Officer Sydur Rahman Molla facilitated the workshop.
TIB officials Ekram Hossain, Habibur Rahman Chowdhury, Karuna
Kishore Chakrabarty, Al-Amin, Mohsin and Rafiqul Islam were present
as the resource persons.
People's Theatre Acclaimed by Rajshahi Audience
Around a thousand spectators assembled at the folklore premises
of Rajshahi University to enjoy the presentation of an anti-corruption
play Relief staged by the Nalitabari People's Theatre of TIB on
15 October. The people's Theatre received adulation of the spectators
by performing both at Court premises and at Shaheb Bazar of Rajshahi.
'Friends of TIB' organized the program.
TIB officials
and the artistes of the theatre group sat at a meeting with the
student and teachers of Folklore Department of Chittagong University
on 15 October to exchange views. Held at the department auditorium,
discussions were held during the meeting on future cooperation
in addition to sharing experiences. Folklore Department gave assurance
of all-out cooperation in this regard. Dr. Abul Hasan Chowdhury,
Dr. Mobara Siddika and Dr. Akther Hossain of Folklore Department,
Outreach Relations Officer of TIB Mohammad Imam Uddin, Coordinator
Theatre Kamal Hossain Mintu, and member of CCC Nalitabari Samedul
Islam Talukder were also present.
Advocacy
Meeting in Mymensingh
An advocacy meeting was arranged by CCC (Mymensingh) at the office
of Upazila Education Officer on 14 October for discouraging corruption
in primary education. Upazila Education Officer Shafiqul Islam,
CCC members Prof. Zatin Sarker, Sharifuzzaman Parag and Program
Assistant of TIB Karuna Kishore Chakrabarty were present at the
meeting.
30
September 2003
Corruption
Database: Loss of Taka 576.58 crore due to 216 incidents of corruption
It has been found from the newspaper-based report 'Corruption
Database' of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) that
a total of 874 corruption-related reports were published in the
21 newspapers between January and June 2003. 216 of these reports
had mentioned about financial losses of the government. Of these,
the amount of losses could be gathered in 216 of these incidents.
The financial loss to the government due to these incidents stood
at taka 5 hundred 76 crore 58 lakh 82 thousand 809.
Professor
Khan Sarwar Murshid, Chairman TIB and Professor Muzaffer Ahmad,
Member of the TIB Board of Trustees presented the report at a
press conference held at the National Press Club on 29 September.
Abdul Alim, Research Associate and other TIB officials were also
present at the occasion.
The police
department as in the past topped again the list in terms of the
number of corruption cases, but the taxation department outclassed
all in terms of amount of money. 37.3% took place in the field
of direct and indirect taxes. Other than the police (22.4%) and
taxation departments, education (12.9%), local government (10.1%)
and health and family welfare (6.6%) were also found to be the
most corrupt departments. Corruption took place in the forms of
abuse of power, plundering and bribery.
In the recommendation
section, the Corruption Database Report says that the political
commitment is a must for stamping out corruption. It suggested
appointment of Ombudsmen, separation of the judiciary from the
executive and establishment of effective anti-corruption commission.
It also recommended for ensuring exemplary punishment to the corrupt
officials, finding out the reasons of corruption and creation
of a social movement against the evil practice. BBC Bengali Service
made coverage on the findings of the Corruption Database report.
Most of the national dailies extensively covered the findings
of the report on the following day.
People's
Theatre: 'Asiraner Bangladesh'
The picture of corruption in the major sectors of the country
is now being projected through drama. This drama 'Asiraner Bangladesh'
is the second production of the Muktagacha CCC of TIB's People's
Theatre group. It has attempted to portray the nature of corruption
that prevails in politics, administration, police, education,
health, lower judiciary and other domains of the country.
The play was inaugurated on 18 September. Held at the Poura Pathagar
Muktamanch of Muktagacha, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Muktagacha
Faruque Alam graced the occasion as chief guest. A thousand spectators
belonging to various classes and professions, cultural personalities
of the town, journalists, doctors, lawyers, teachers and students
were present during this premier show. Jewel Kabir Akash produced
the script of the play as well as directed it. TIB's peoples'
theatre Coordinator Kamal Hossain Mintu assisted in the overall
management.
The anti-corruption
people's theatre 'Asiraner Bangladesh' was also staged at the
Rani Bhabani high school compound of Modhupur. Around 900 audiences
enjoyed the show. Those who performed in the drama included Akhi,
Bithi, Suman, Rana, Milon, Rasel, Rana, Rabbani, Sajib and Liton.
Workshop
on report card
A workshop on report card for land administration, municipality
and union parishad was held at the Training and Research Center
(TARC) of BRAC at Madhupur on 21-22 September. Field organizers
and programme officials of TIB were present at the workshop. Research
Officer Sydur Rahman Molla and Programme Officer Ekram Hossain
of TIB facilitated the workshop. The prime objective of the workshop
was to identify the priorities on report card survey.
A similar workshop was held at TIB's Advice and Information Center
of Mymensingh on 26 September. Around 18 members of various CCC
were present at the workshop. Research Officer Sydur Rahman and
Programme Officer Ekram Hossain of TIB were present as the facilitators.
15
September 2003
Roundtable
Discussion on IACC
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organized a roundtable
discussion on the proposed independent Anti-Corruption commission
on 9 September at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city. The roundtable
was addressed by a good number of intellectuals, bureaucrats,
civil society representatives, political leaders, lawyers, journalists
and people from other strata of society.
Chaired by
Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, Member of the TIB Trustee Board, former
Chief Justice Mostafa Kamal said the country would have no need
of setting up an Anti-Corruption Commission had the parliamentary
system been effective. "The public accounts committee is
enough to curb corruption. But it is our collective failure that
the country has had no effective Parliament since 1935,"
he said.
The roundtable
was also addressed by eminent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain, noted economist
Prof Rehman Sobhan, Suranjit Sengupta MP, Caretaker Government
Advisors M. Hafiz Uddin Khan, S M Shahjahan and Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury
Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman, president of Bangladesh Economics Association,
renowned economist Dr Atiur Rahman, Prof M M Akash of Dhaka University,
Dr. Mohabbat Khan member of Public Service Commission, Legal experts
Dr. Shahdeen Malik, and Dr Asif Nazrul, former lawmaker Tasmima
Hossain, former Comptroller and Auditor General Syed Yusuf Hossain,
former Principal Secretary S.A. Samad, journalists Mr. Muhammad
Jahangir and Muzzamel Hossain, former DG of Bureau of Anti Corruption
M Badiuzzaman, Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, among others. Programme
Officer of TIB Ekram Hossain presented a paper on its views on
behalf of the organization.
TIB said its
views that the much-awaited bill aimed at establishing an Independent
Anti-Corruption Commission in the country was placed in the Parliament
on 10 July 2003. It is now in the public domain and awaiting passage
into law. Considering its critical importance to governance and
development of the country, it is imperative to take a hard look
at the proposed bill..The mass media of the country, gave wide
coverage to TIB's roundtable discussion. Editorials were published
on the subsequent days in leading newspapers.
People's
Theatre
TIB & CCC Kishoreganj organized two performances of the people's
theatre play Relief on 3 September at Rangmahal cinema hall premises
and at Rail station of Kishoreganj. Staged by the Nalitabari People's
Theatre Group of TIB, this play depicted the irregularities, mismanagement
and corruption in relief distribution in the country. An audience
of around fifteen hundred spectators enjoyed the two shows.
TIB &
CCC Mymensingh organized two performances of the peoples theatre
play Lal Sabujer Deshey on 7 and 9 September at Gandrapa and Sutiakhali
of Mymensingh. Over a thousand spectators belonging to various
classes and professions were present during the two shows.
Advocacy
Meting
An advocacy meeting with the Upazilla Education Committee was
arranged by Nalitabari CCC at its office on 11 September for discussing
corruption in primary education. Convenor of CCC M A Hakam Hira
presided over the meeting. Headmasters and teachers of primary
schools, CCC members and upazilla education officials were present
at the meeting.
Study Circle
TIB has |