Govt, administrative systems: TIB proposes a raft of reforms

Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday proposed a host of reform measures that would create a conducive state structure and the environment to build a transparent, accountable, corruption-free and discrimination-free “New Bangladesh”.
“We are making these recommendations to assist the government. The authoritarian regime fell at the cost of unprecedented bloodshed and sacrifice through the movement of students and the people. One authoritarian regime should not be replaced by another,” said TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman at a press conference.
Chief among the recommendations is adding a provision in the constitution that would bar an individual from serving as the prime minister for more than two terms, a practice followed in the US.
The same person should not hold the positions of the prime minister (head of government), the chief of a political party and the leader of parliament simultaneously.
TIB’s recommendations for necessary reforms in the state structure to prevent corruption, and establish democracy, good governance and integrity are categorised into two groups: immediate and strategic areas.
The immediate priorities include ensuring discipline, public safety and administrative normalcy; conducting UN-led investigations into past human rights violations; ensuring proper legal procedures such that the judicial process remains unquestionable; and restoring normal economic activities.
A task force must be formed comprising the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Attorney General’s Office to set an exemplary standard of effective accountability for high-level corruption and money laundering.
TIB demanded revealing the true picture of the banking sector following an independent and neutral investigation, and the formation of an “independent bank commission” with skilled specialists for the revival of the banking sector.
Strategic reforms include the introduction of proportional representation in the parliamentary system to ensure the true reflection of the people’s verdict in the national parliament.
Additionally, an election-time interim government system should be introduced to ensure free, fair, neutral, and participatory parliamentary polls.
The Speaker should be free from party influence, avoid conflicts of interest and act as the guardian of parliament. They must conduct all parliamentary activities impartially.
The deputy speaker should be elected from the opposition in parliament.
In the absence of both the Speaker and the deputy speaker, members of the opposition parties included in the presidium should be allowed to perform the duties of the Speaker.
TIB also recommended amending Article 70 of the constitution to allow MPs the freedom to criticise their party and vote against it on different matters, including legislation, except for no-confidence motions and the budget.
Among the recommendations for democratic practices, TIB emphasised the need to abolish the monopoly and dynastic rule of a party chief and to determine party leadership through fair elections at all levels.
In the category of the rule of law and human rights, TIB called for immediate separation of the judiciary and specific policies and laws in consultation with the Supreme Court for the appointment of judges to the High Court.
TIB also recommended repealing the 16th amendment to the constitution, which gave power to the Jatiya Sangsad to remove judges if allegations of incapability or misconduct against them are proved.
The other recommendations include ensuring accountability and exemplary punishment for multidimensional and unprecedented human rights violations through nationally and internationally acceptable, impartial and independent investigations.
The National Human Rights Commission must be granted the jurisdiction and capacity to investigate all allegations of human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances by security forces and law enforcement agencies, and to repeal all laws that violate human rights, including the Special Powers Act.
To prevent irregularities, corruption and money laundering, TIB called for ensuring the independence and capacity of the ACC and amending the Civil Service Act of 2018, the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2012 and the Income Tax Act of 2023.
The agencies responsible for curbing and preventing corruption such as the ACC, the BFIU, the NBR, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Attorney General’s Office, the CID and other institutions concerned must develop professional skills free from party influence.
TIB recommended that no political appointments be made to institutions such as the Election Commission, ACC, Information Commission, NHRC, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Public Service Commission.
An independent working environment must be ensured in these institutions.
The Official Secrecy Act of 1923 and the Cyber Security Act of 2023 must be repealed and measures must be put in place to ensure personal information protection.
Additionally, TIB called for the necessary amendments to the constitution and relevant laws to make the local government system independent, strengthened and effective.
In the electricity, energy, and environment category, TIB proposed a short-, medium-, and long-term time-bound plan to gradually phase out the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy.
Supportive policies must be created to increase local and international investment in the renewable energy sector.
Moreover, TIB demanded the abolishment of the “Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010”, the removal of capacity charges and the cancellation of all ongoing development projects that are harmful to the environment and biodiversity.
“It is not possible to say how long it will take for the interim government to implement the recommendations made today [yesterday]. That decision lies with them. This government should be given the time it needs to meet the expectations of the people,” Iftekharuzzaman said.
The government has been in office for only 20 days and it would not be fair to evaluate them so soon.
“They must fulfil the aspirations of the masses, even as they work amid the ruins,” he added.