TIB wants the opposition to leave dual role

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday said the parliamentary activities are not being performed up to the mark due to what it termed the controversial dual role of the opposition. The anti-graft watchdog, however, acknowledged that the 10th parliament in its recent sessions saw some developments as the opposition took part in a debate and criticised the government in some cases, which were hardly responded well though. These statements came in a media briefing organised by the TIB in Dhaka where it also unveiled a report styled Parliamentwatch prepared based on its observations on the activities between seventh and thirteenth sessions in the House. Calling upon the opposition to leave its “dual role,” the TIB report said: “Some positive changes, such as constructive criticism of the government by the opposition party as well as their participation have been observed in these sessions.” It emphasised on the government’s proper consideration to the opinion of the opposition. According to the report, abusive words and  unparliamentary language are widely used during parliament sessions. “There is no shortfall of abusive words in parliament,” TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal told the briefing addressed, among others, by the platform’s Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman. Parliamentary code of conduct is being breached by the treasury and the opposition benches, with many lawmakers abusing verbally or using unparliamentary language targeting their political opponents outside the parliament as well, the report says. The speakers attributed the situation to a lack of effective role by the speaker in stopping such abuses and indecent language. The TIB recommended that a new on lawmakers’ code of conduct in parliament be adopted, urging the speaker to take a bolder role to help stop such abusive words and unparliamentary languages.