The Daily Star; Bangladesh; Friday, October 29, 2010
The government staff still obsessed with secrecy are challenging the prime minister's decision to ensure people's right to information, said Obaidul Quader, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the information ministry.
“It is correct that we cannot open everything to people at the very beginning, particularly those who are involved in the state security. But excepting that no way for anyone to deny giving information. If anyone does so, he dares to challenge the prime minister who had decided to formulate the law (RTI Act),” said Obaidul Quader, also an Awami League lawmaker.
Article 19 Bangladesh in association with the Information Commission organised the programme at LGED Bhaban auditorium in the city yesterday evening.
“Getting rid of obsession with secrecy you must tell truth when it is truth. Don't try to hide the sky with your palm. Truth cannot be concealed. Truth prevails at the end,” said Obaidul Quader at a training program on disclosing information arranged for designated government officers.
“Many of the government officers and employees still don't know about the right to information. We must launch a massive publicity programme to aware people that right to information is the strongest weapon against corruption,” he added.
Explaining the people's right to information and with reference to those government officials who deny disclosing information, Obaidul Quader said, “None of you can talk in this way. You are bound to give information and you don't have the right to deny.”
Citing example of the international website Wekilics, the website disclosing documents of USA war on Iraq and Afghanistan, he said, “In the current world you cannot hide information and even Pentagon failed to keep it hidden.”
He also mentioned that even information of secret meeting like ones in the ministry or cabinet cannot be kept concealed and it always gets leaked.
“Why you are to obsessed with secrecy? We have formulated the law to go ahead,” Obaidul Quader suggested the government staffs.
Referring to the recent Corruption Perceptions Index of 2010 released by Transparency International, he said, “Corruption has become a way of our life and there is no way to deny that our country is infested with corruption.”
He stressed the need for developing office atmosphere of information commission at the district levels and ensuring security to information seekers and information activists.
Referring to the case in which Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) complained of not getting information even in five months, Quader said, “If people's confidence is destroyed at the beginning, it is very tough to regain the confidence.”
The program was also attended by Chief Information Commissioner Muhammad Zamir, Prof Abul Barakat, Information Commissioner Prof Sadeka Halim, Information Commission Secretary Nepal Chandra Sarker and Article 19 Bangladesh Country Director Tahmina Rahman.
A total of 100 designated officers of the government participated in the programme.
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