Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman has accused the government of removing key state decisions and information published on government websites during the tenure of the interim government.
He made the remarks at a press conference organized by the RTI Forum at the TIB office in Dhaka on Sunday. The event was titled “Immediate Formation of the Information Commission and Necessary Amendments to the Right to Information Act 2009.”
Iftekharuzzaman said that numerous important decisions and pieces of information have been taken down from government websites.
“This is the responsibility of the current government. They cannot do this. It is unethical, contrary to the Right to Information Act, and against the interests of the state,” he said.
He added that citizens have the right to access information, whether it reflects positively or negatively on the state.
“People have the right to know all information, whether it is correct or incorrect, motivated, in the interest of the state or against it,” he said.
Urging the authorities to reconsider the move, he added, “I request the state and the government to assess how logical this removal is.”
When asked for examples, Iftekharuzzaman cited decisions related to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Chief Adviser’s Office, noting that these are no longer available online.
“Many of these decisions and pieces of information have been removed and cannot be found now,” he said.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJON), said that the Right to Information Act allows access to any information, ensuring transparency in government operations. “The right to information means the right to know the truth. No one has the right to deprive citizens of their rights. For the past 16 years, democracy has been absent in the country. Political parties should be involved so that we can hold them accountable,” he added.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), said that if the flow of information had been proper, the large-scale embezzlement in Bangladesh could have been reduced. “In the case of the Information Commission, government accountability is required to ensure appointments are not made on a partisan basis. Moreover, when governments change, everything should not be altered—this culture also needs to change,” he added.
Also present at the press conference were Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and convener of the RTI Forum; Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director of Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI); and Zakir Hossain, CEO of Nagorik Uddyog.
