TIB Chairperson, Advocate Sultana Kamal, sees signs of instability

TIB Chairperson Advocate Sultana Kamal on Friday said she finds indications of widespread instability in the country.

“The situation we have in Bangladesh today …say it good governance, human rights or democracy…from all perspectives we see elements of huge instability,” she said at the inauguration of a conference at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

“Undemocratic force…that sort of trend is increasing. All these are related to corruption,” said Sultana Kamal, also executive director of human rights group – Ain O Salish Kendra.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised the two-day national conference of the Sachetan Nagorik Committee (conscious citizens committee, Sanac) and Youth Engagement Support (YES).

Sultana Kamal said through corruption people’s rights is being snatched and that the citizens of a democratic, prosperous society are getting vanished.

“Today people have no power. Impunity and insecurity have entered deep [into the society]. People have lost their confidence that there would be something good in this country. This is a huge social injury,” the leading human rights activist said.

The parliament and cabinet appear to be non-distinctive, and the institutions are getting destroyed, which is not the way how democracy can run, Kamal said.

To overcome these impediments, citizens have a major role to play, but sometimes they too do not know their rights and power. “Therefore, we need to educate ourselves as citizens and work hand in hand to realise our rights,” she said.

TIB Trustee Board Member M Hafizuddin Khan said corruption is increasing in the country with the Anti-Corruption Commission getting handicapped and the parliament getting non-functional.

“Of the five major promises of the present government, one was checking corruption. However, things are quite different now,” he told about 700 members of Sanac. The session for the YES members will be held on Saturday.

Khan, former adviser to a caretaker government, also called for waging a citizens’ movement to fight the menace.

TIB Trustee Bard Member and former chief election commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said there is something like a syndicate of those, who are in the power – from top to bottom, and that is the reason for corruption.

The biggest target of them is the public property, he said, adding: “The government knows it very well, but it has no resistance.”

He called on the youths to get united and wage social resistance against corruption and abuse of power.

“Resistance should be both from individual and group levels. This surely has an impact,” Huda said, urging all to make sure that they do what they talk about.

Prof Rawshan Jahan, wife of late Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, administered an oath to the Sanac members who pledged not to get involved in corruption and work against it.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman paid tribute to late Prof Muzaffer Ahmad and industrialist Samson H Chowdhury who acted as chairpersons of TIB and were the champions in anti-corruption movement.

Source: The Daily Star

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Madam i am in trouble .i am victim of terrorist in manikganj.they r wantng to get rid of us by force from our land.immense torture is going on wth my family.mumtaz ara

  2. WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION?
    When/why the first Constitution was introduced in the World? The purpose or use —-? AUTHENTICATION: for the best interest of the country & its citizen certain rules, regulation or act designed —-A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE:
    Printing media (newspapers) published (in 1999) certain news against the high profiles (Ministry of Health) in South Africa which was organized by me, I was seeking for help from the higher authorities when Hospital services were interrupted but they declined my request.
    Following day the Department of Health published in the printing medias that they would take action against me “in terms of Public Service Commission Act” if any staff goes to the printing media without the permission of the Head office.
    My Attorney had written a letter to the Department of Health stated that my client’s action were not personal motivated but for the best interest of patients (community)=citizen & off course for the best interest of the country , so therefore law protect him automatically and that certain act. Of public service commission overruled.
    And that was the end of the history: Department kept silent since –
    If HASINA=AWUMILIG claims that the vote took place due to the effect or within the frame of the constitution which is really rubbish or lack of knowledge — refer the above history—
    BOTTOMLINE: Anything could exist within the frame or out of the frame of the constitution but failing to protect the best interest of the country & its citizen (failing obtain the mandate of the majority—)
    OPEN DEBEAT FOR ANY AWUMI LEADERS CHALLENGE ONE MILLION DOLLARS
    Islan.siraj@yahoo.com REGARDS: DR. ISLAM /RSA

  3. LAW ENFORCEMENT Agencies (POLICE,RAB–) are ruling party’s political main power unfortunately which resulting directly undermining democracy, independency, human rights ,law & order, justice ,public protection etc——-which are open secret to everyone , on the other hands in contributes crimes+ criminals——-
    WHAT IS THE REMEDY OR HOW TO OVERCOME: a) those agencies must be taken out from the HOME MINISTRY forever due to existing crisis or stop abusing those agencies b) Those agencies controlling authority must be shifted towards independent panel/body consisting non-political strong personals. Selection criteria must be setup like: i) zero criminal record ii) national figures: in terms of contribution building or upliftment of the country iii) highly qualified+ experienced in many ways iv) his/her personality never been debated/questioned v) popularity accepted all levels, never been bias, immoral, dignified —–had many records of dedication +sacrifice for the best interest of the country, like LATE MAULANA VASANI –
    MANDATE OR jurisdiction OF THE PANEL:
    1. Internal Constitution 2. Veto power (senator?) 3. PANEL’S POWER: 4. JOB DESCRIPTION of individual members 5. How a member loos membership or fetch charge or code of conduct —
    2. PANEL’s accountability + transparency : PERIODIC =monthly meeting
    3. INCENTIVE of the panelist ———-
    SO MANY OTHER STATEGY PLAN NEED TO ADD——-

    Dr.Sirajul Islam , CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
    Komani hospital Ph: 045- 8588731,fax:045:8588802
    cell:0619365988 or islan.siraj@yahoo.com
    Queenstown, South Africa

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