BANGLADESH: Info commission within a few days

Thirty lawmakers participate in Right to Information workshop to discuss how to change the secrecy mindset of government officials before implementing the law

The Daily Star
Sunday, June 28, 2009

Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad yesterday said an independent Information Commission would be formed within a few days for ensuring people's right to information, as the Right to Information Act is going to be enforced from July 1.

"Right to information will broaden the way of empowerment and development of the people. We will gradually implement the Right to Information Act to ensure free flow of information in the country," he said.

He said this while speaking as special guest at a workshop titled "Leadership Orientation for the Members of Parliament on Right to Information (RTI)" at a city hotel yesterday.

All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and People's Empowerment Trust (PET) jointly organised the workshop in support of the information ministry and Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).

Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Suranjit Sengupta stressed the need for constituting a real, independent and democratic Information Commission.

"I don't want to see a club of the retired judges or officers as well as an urban based luxurious body in the name of Information Commission," he said.

He urged the opposition members of the parliament to join its current session to play their role as enshrined in the constitution to enrich the democracy.

Speaker Abdul Hamid said establishing the right to information is very much urgent in the country in order to ensure the government's transparency and accountability.

He said secrecy is the fundamental basis of corruptions at the government offices and right to information can prevent the abuse of political power and corruption.

There is a culture of secrecy at public offices for a long time and those who remain in the centre of power make dilly-dally in providing information, he said.

MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said although there are some challenges in implementing the right to information act, passing it is a good step.

The people will be able to know some urgent information about the violation of human rights and corruption from the officials concerned within a very short time after enforcement of the act, she said.

Presided over by Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Shawkat Ali, the meeting, among others, was addressed by Chief Whip of the ruling party Abdus Shahid, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, APPG vice chairpersons- Shahriar Alam, MP, and Mahabub Ara Begum Gini, MP, PET Senior Policy Analyst Monowar Mostafa and barrister Tanjib-Ul Alam.

About 30 lawmakers took part in the workshop. The lawmakers said the mindset of the government officials would have to be changed to implement the right to information act.

Date Posted: 6/28/2009