By adopting a discriminatory law, Bangladesh has deviated from the conditions of United Nations Convention against Corruption, ACC Commissioner M Shahabuddin said yesterday.
He said Bangladesh had adopted the UNCAC in 2007 and according to the ratification, Bangladesh must follow all its conditions.
“None of the countries, which ratified the convention, can adopt any discriminatory law. But, Bangladesh has deviated from its position by initiating the recently passed law,” the commissioner said.
The parliament on November 10 approved the controversial bill further curbing the power of the already beleaguered graft busting agency of the country, with a provision that made it mandatory for the Anti-Corruption Commission to have “prior approval” of the government before filing cases against judges, magistrates and public servants.
According to a 2009 compliance report, Bangladesh was effectively implementing anti-corruption legislation. “But today, we have deviated from that position and this is not satisfactory,” Shahabuddin said at a programme.
To mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, the ACC organised the discussion at the Shilpakala Academy in the capital yesterday.
With the theme “Act Against Corruption Today,” the United Nations declared December 9 as the Anti-Corruption Day to strengthen the anti-graft movement across the world.
“Bangladesh has made significant progress in the CPI 2013”, the commissioner claimed.
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2013, Bangladesh climbed seven places to reach 136 this year in the ranking of 177 countries, while its benchmark score improved by one point to 27.
Replying to journalists, ACC Chairman M Bodiuzzaman said: “We will not go to court regarding the controversial provision of the act; rather we will try to amend the provision in the next parliamentary session.”
On October 31, 2003, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption which came into force in December 2005.
To mark the day, Transparency International Bangladesh organised several programmes including an award-giving ceremony titled “Investigative Journalism Award 2013.” TIB also formed a human chain on the Dhaka University campus demanding immediate cancellation of the amendment to the ACC act.
With support from the telecommunications ministry, mobile text messages containing anti-graft slogans were served to 10 crore people.