Speakers at a roundtable here on Saturday called upon the government to formulate a code of conduct for MPs in the upcoming parliament session to make them accountable.
There is no alternative to formulation of a code of conduct to make sure they do not deviate from democratic norms in their behaviour and activities.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) jointly organised the roundtable, titled ‘Necessity of a code of conduct for MPs’ at the National Press Club.
Addressing the roundtable, former Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said no one is above law. “If this principle is not enforced, it won’t be possible to ensure democratic accountability.”
He identified the conflict of interests as one of the main barriers towards ensuring accountability in the proceedings of Parliament and the process of taking decisions on national issues.
“It’s unbelievable… nowhere in the world there’s an instance that a realtor becomes the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. If such practice goes on, the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) of the government will never be implemented,” the former CEC said.
Shamsul Huda said now MPs are entrusted with all the works of their constituencies. “No work is done without the permission of the MP at the grassroots level…this is illogical.”
Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder said the Speaker has the power to take punitive actions against MPs for their misconduct, but this power is hardly practiced. “Had the Speaker have taken proper actions immediately after the misconduct, not code of conduct would have need now.”
Shahiduzzaman Sarker, an Awami League MP from Naogaon- 2 constituency, said it is possible to ensure the accountability of MPs through proper enforcement of the rules of procedure of Parliament. Then the code of conduct can be formulated on consensus, if needed, he added.
Former adviser to the caretaker government CM Shafi Shami said moral turpitude of the MPs is an outcome of the degradation of social values prevailing at all spheres of life.
MPs are respectable to all as public representatives. So, the people of the country expect responsible behavior from them, he said.
TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said it is matter of concern that our lawmakers are involved in business. Now 60 percent of MPs are businessmen which was only 18 percent after the Liberation War.
He said people from all professions have constitutional rights to do politics. But it is never unacceptable that being elected MPs do business using state privileges and facilities.
Sujon secretary Badiul Alam Majumder presented the keynote paper in the roundtable.
The keynote paper says, “Though there is the rules of procedure of Parliament over the responsibilities and duties of MPs within the House, there’s no law ensuring MPs’ restrained behaviour outside parliament. So, we’re demanding enactment of a law in this regard through a private members bill in the upcoming parliament session.”
He said parliament is the cornerstone of democracy. The character and quality of parliament largely depend on MPs’ characters, qualities and behaviour. “So, there’s no alternative to formulating the code of conduct to restrain the behaviour of lawmakers with a view to ensuring upholding image and effectiveness of Parliament.
Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque, former minister Sardar Amzad Hossain, among others, spoke on the occasion. TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman moderated the programme.
Source: UNBConnect
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