Corruption Persists, Along with Land Grabbing and Extortion: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has said there is no comparative data to say whether corruption has increased or decreased compared to before, but corruption continues in various forms.

Responding to a question on whether corruption has risen or fallen, he said TIB is working on the issue, but it can be stated that corruption is ongoing. He added that various groups are abusing political and government power to engage in partisan practices, land grabbing and extortion, and that corruption has also occurred in some cases within the government itself, which he described as concerning.

Iftekharuzzaman, who also headed a former Anti-Corruption Commission reform commission formed by the interim government, said there had been a possibility of taking a much tougher stance against corruption during this government’s tenure, but it cannot be denied that the government failed in that respect. He said TIB is preparing an analysis covering the full term of the current government.

He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at a press conference held at TIB’s office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The event was titled “Commitment to a Well-Governed, Equitable and Corruption-Free Bangladesh: TIB’s Recommendations for Political Party Manifestos in the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election”.

Responding to journalists’ questions, Iftekharuzzaman said Bangladesh cannot quickly overcome the accumulated problems of the past 54 years, particularly the last 15 years, to establish a well-governed, democratic, corruption-free and inclusive society and state. He said this is a long-term process that must be acknowledged, although an opportunity has now emerged. He added that how political parties seize this opportunity is important, and that the outcome will depend largely on how much influence money, muscle power and religion have on their practices before and after the election.

Speaking on reforms in the business sector, he said the issue is similar to reforming political parties and must come from within. He said ensuring open competition, transparency and accountability would ultimately benefit businesspeople themselves. If this is not done, a particular group of businesspeople gains while others are harmed, as seen over the past 15 years, leading to the capture of state institutions. He said sections of the business sector had acted as one of the pillars of authoritarianism and stressed that such a situation should not be repeated.

Asked about the current cool relations between Bangladesh and India, Iftekharuzzaman said the present situation represents India’s most embarrassing diplomatic and political setback in its history, something he said India has so far failed to acknowledge. He added that India is not a country that admits such matters easily. However, he said this does not mean relations cannot improve, noting there are opportunities for high-level partnership and cooperation in various sectors, depending on both sides. He added that relations would have been easier for Bangladesh if India had taken a more objective stance and moved away from supporting authoritarianism.

At the press conference, TIB presented 52 proposals that it said should be included in political party manifestos for the upcoming election. Iftekharuzzaman read out the first seven proposals, which include commitments to implement the July National Charter and other recommendations of reform commissions, pledges to continue and effectively enforce ordinances and measures taken based on the July Charter and reform commissions, and the continuation of proper investigations and trials into all killings, crimes and human rights violations committed during the July mass uprising and under the authoritarian government.

The remaining proposals were presented by TIB senior research officer Md Julkarnain and Director of Research and Policy Mohammad Badiuzzaman. These include commitments related to preventing irregularities and corruption, practising democracy, good governance and integrity within party activities, establishing equal rights and justice, and reforms in social security, education, health, agriculture, banking and finance, power and energy, environment and climate, as well as ensuring good governance in the private sector.

TIB Adviser for Executive Management Professor Sumaiya Khayer and Outreach and Communication Director Mohammad Towhidul Islam were also present at the press conference.

Khaborwala/SS