Press Release
Dhaka, 24 December 2024: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) members involved voluntarily, have made an earnest call to the government, political parties, the public, and the youth, particularly students, to seize the golden opportunity created by the defeat of authoritarian forces and work toward the establishment of a well-governed, secular, and discrimination-free homeland. Expressing condolences to the victims and their families who were killed or injured, and those who lost their eyesight during the anti-discrimination movement, TIB members have also strongly demanded an impartial and independent national and international investigation into all human rights violations, ensuring accountability and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
The "Annual Meeting" was held at TIB’s office in Dhanmondi, under the moderation of TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, with the participation of 45 members from various walks of life. The meeting was chaired by TIB member Mohammad Ilyas Khan. The members presented positive comments on the research, advisory, advocacy activities conducted by TIB, and the high-quality audit reports of the relevant financial accounts, expressing satisfaction with the overall activities.
In the declaration issued at the end of the meeting, the members emphasized that the unity displayed by the nation, regardless of caste, religion, and ethnicity, in fighting for the country's freedom and, most recently, in the anti-discrimination movement, should remain strong and intact in building a well-governed and secular Bangladesh. The members also demanded a fair investigation and punishment for the recent unwarranted attacks on religious and other minorities.
The declaration further stated that institutional corruption had taken root due to the lack of transparency and accountability at all levels in the authoritarian regime. The corruption syndicates had become so powerful that the general public was forced to accept corruption. In response, recently, new appointments have been made to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). TIB members believe that it is necessary not only to change the leadership but also to completely overhaul the institution to make it more people-friendly and corruption-free.
TIB members stressed that the interim government's responsibility is to fulfill the expectations for a free press and the right to express opinions that have emerged through the end of authoritarianism. They called for effective measures to ensure an environment where everyone can freely practice their right to think, conscience, and express themselves. They also urged that no one should face harassment or be labeled for exercising their right to free speech, as happened during the previous authoritarian regime.
While the recent decision to abolish the Cyber Security Act, which was used as a tool to suppress dissent and restrict media freedom, had brought relief, TIB members cautioned that the recent initiative to issue the "Cyber Protection Ordinance 2024" without proper analysis and inclusive review could lead to the misuse of such an ordinance. They urged the authorities to ensure adequate opportunities for stakeholder input and recommendations and to amend all laws, policies, and regulations related to the media, and develop a comprehensive new media law.
The declaration also stated that the interim government had established 11 commissions to reform important sectors. However, to rid the country of the culture of corruption, political manipulation, and impunity that had been entrenched in the state machinery through efforts to prolong authoritarian rule, it is essential to ensure that all constitutional and statutory institutions work independently. TIB members called for reforms to ensure that the appointment of heads and members of these institutions is based on clear qualifications and not political affiliations. They also recommended the establishment of an empowered secretariat for the judiciary, as well as the development of modern discipline and code of conduct under the Supreme Court’s supervision to protect the independence and dignity of the judiciary.
To establish the rule of law and protect human rights, TIB members emphasized the need to restructure the law enforcement agencies. Finally, they urged the interim government to develop a clear roadmap for the overall reform process, ensuring that it does not stagnate in the future, and called upon political parties to commit to the reform agenda.
The meeting concluded with a call to all relevant stakeholders to work together, based on the ideals of the Language Movement, Liberation War, and the anti-discrimination movement, to eliminate all forms of exploitation and discrimination, and to establish democracy, good governance, and a corruption-free society.
Media Contact:
Mohammad Tauhidul Islam
Director, Outreach and Communication
Phone: +8801713107868
Email: tauhidul@ti-bangladesh.org
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