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Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has raised questions regarding eight ordinances enacted by the interim government as part of the reform process.
The organization's Executive Director, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, said, "Whatever initiatives have been taken in the name of reform, the interim government has missed the mark in almost every case of implementation. They have effectively surrendered to the bureaucracy. Why this surrender happened and where the weakness lies is the main question. However, since I do not have direct experience regarding how decisions are made within the government, I do not have a specific answer to that."
The organization's Executive Director, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, said, "Whatever initiatives have been taken in the name of reform, the interim government has missed the mark in almost every case of implementation. They have effectively surrendered to the bureaucracy. Why this surrender happened and where the weakness lies is the main question. However, since I do not have direct experience regarding how decisions are made within the government, I do not have a specific answer to that."
He made these remarks on Monday, at a press conference titled ‘The Interim Government Reluctance to Pursue Reforms in Ordinance Formulation at TIB’s office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
At the conference, TIB’s overall observations were presented regarding the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, Police Commission Ordinance, National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, Public Audit Ordinance, Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, Cyber Security Ordinance, Personal Data Protection Ordinance, and National Data Management Ordinance.
TIB in the press conference said with a few exceptions, the government has enacted ordinances unilaterally without involving stakeholders. In some cases, draft ordinances were briefly published on websites merely as a formality to discharge responsibility. Even in instances where stakeholders managed to provide consultation by overcoming obstacles or facing disfavour, the promised amendments were neglected without any explanation; there was even propaganda against some stakeholders.
Overall, the government has failed to set an example of expected transparency and the practice of proactive information disclosure regarding law-making and decisions involving public interest, as per the anti-graft watchdog organisation.
Speaking at the function, Dr Zaman said "Among the enacted ordinances—with exceptions like the separation of the judiciary and the amendment to the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance for the NGO sector—reform has missed its mark in almost all cases due to the government’s surrender to the subversive and ill-motivated forces of resistant groups, particularly influential sections of the bureaucracy. Many provisions have been drafted that are contrary to the core mantra of state reform, namely the goal of establishing an accountable government.
In each of the ordinances—such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Commission, National Human Rights Commission, Cyber Security, Personal Data Protection, and National Data Management—opportunities have been retained to continue the absolute and unaccountable exercise of authority by those in power, including the bureaucracy, at the expense of national interest, he added.
At the conference, TIB’s overall observations were presented regarding the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, Police Commission Ordinance, National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, Public Audit Ordinance, Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, Cyber Security Ordinance, Personal Data Protection Ordinance, and National Data Management Ordinance.
TIB in the press conference said with a few exceptions, the government has enacted ordinances unilaterally without involving stakeholders. In some cases, draft ordinances were briefly published on websites merely as a formality to discharge responsibility. Even in instances where stakeholders managed to provide consultation by overcoming obstacles or facing disfavour, the promised amendments were neglected without any explanation; there was even propaganda against some stakeholders.
Overall, the government has failed to set an example of expected transparency and the practice of proactive information disclosure regarding law-making and decisions involving public interest, as per the anti-graft watchdog organisation.
Speaking at the function, Dr Zaman said "Among the enacted ordinances—with exceptions like the separation of the judiciary and the amendment to the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance for the NGO sector—reform has missed its mark in almost all cases due to the government’s surrender to the subversive and ill-motivated forces of resistant groups, particularly influential sections of the bureaucracy. Many provisions have been drafted that are contrary to the core mantra of state reform, namely the goal of establishing an accountable government.
In each of the ordinances—such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Commission, National Human Rights Commission, Cyber Security, Personal Data Protection, and National Data Management—opportunities have been retained to continue the absolute and unaccountable exercise of authority by those in power, including the bureaucracy, at the expense of national interest, he added.