Dhaka Tribune: Bangladesh: Friday, 7Th March
2025.
Against the backdrop of last year’s July-August political upheaval, the forum argued that reforms to the RTI Act are necessary to enhance its effectiveness
The Right to Information
Forum has called for the Information Commission to be established as an
independent constitutional body to ensure the objectives of the Right to
Information (RTI) Act are fully realized.
At a press conference at Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) headquarters on Thursday, the forum highlighted the stagnation in the Information Commission’s operations since September, following the absence of its chief information commissioner and other members.
Against the backdrop of last year’s July-August political upheaval, they argued that reforms to the RTI Act are necessary to enhance its effectiveness and ensure its benefits reach the public.
The Right Forum also underscored that the message was clear: The Right to Information Act, meant to ensure transparency and accountability, cannot function if the body tasked with enforcing it is compromised.
They further said that if the government is serious about upholding democratic principles, it must take urgent steps to establish a truly independent and empowered Information Commission.
At the event, Hasibur Rahman, executive director of the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), presented the proposed amendments, stressing the importance of an independent Information Commission.
He pointed out that the law was enacted to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance by curbing corruption.
"For this, the commission must function autonomously and free from external influence. Establishing it as a constitutional body, he argued, would be the only way to safeguard its integrity and ensure its mandate is upheld," he added.
He also noted that many applicants face difficulties in identifying the appropriate appellate authority and suggested simplifying the process.
Additionally, he proposed expanding the RTI Act’s scope to include private entities and organizations where the government holds a stake.
To align with the Act’s preamble, he recommended explicitly including the terms "governmental, autonomous, or local government bodies" to prevent ambiguity in its application.
Rahman further emphasized the need to designate union-level offices under various government ministries as "information-providing units" to streamline access to information at the grassroots level.
He called for the inclusion of "note sheets" within the definition of information, arguing that these internal documents reveal the decision-making roles of individual officers and should be made accessible under the law.
The Right to Information Forum also proposed increasing the penalty for non-compliance with the RTI Act, along with several other amendments.
At the press conference, Shaheen Anam, convener of the RTI Forum and executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, voiced serious concerns over the commission’s inactivity in recent months.
She questioned the interim government’s lack of urgency on the matter, noting that despite repeated appeals in various forums, no concrete action has been taken.
This inaction, she warned, was both surprising and troubling.
Anam also called for reforms to the 2009 RTI Act, arguing that political interference has long prevented the Information Commission from operating independently.
To ensure its effectiveness, she said, it should be restructured as a constitutional body, similar to the Election Commission, making it stronger and more capable of enforcing accountability and transparency.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of civil society platform Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, proposed bringing political parties under the RTI Act.
He reasoned that as constitutionally recognized entities, political parties must uphold transparency and accountability.
The Election Reform Commission has already recommended including them under the law, and failing to do so, he warned, could lead to a repeat of past political crises.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, added that the government must explain why the Information Commission has not been formed in the same manner as the Election Commission or the Anti-Corruption Commission.
TIB chief urged immediate action, emphasizing that the commission must be free from partisan influence.
However, he warned against appointing individuals with a history of opposing information disclosure, as this would fundamentally undermine the RTI Act’s purpose.
Against the backdrop of last year’s July-August political upheaval, the forum argued that reforms to the RTI Act are necessary to enhance its effectiveness
At a press conference at Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) headquarters on Thursday, the forum highlighted the stagnation in the Information Commission’s operations since September, following the absence of its chief information commissioner and other members.
Against the backdrop of last year’s July-August political upheaval, they argued that reforms to the RTI Act are necessary to enhance its effectiveness and ensure its benefits reach the public.
The Right Forum also underscored that the message was clear: The Right to Information Act, meant to ensure transparency and accountability, cannot function if the body tasked with enforcing it is compromised.
They further said that if the government is serious about upholding democratic principles, it must take urgent steps to establish a truly independent and empowered Information Commission.
At the event, Hasibur Rahman, executive director of the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), presented the proposed amendments, stressing the importance of an independent Information Commission.
He pointed out that the law was enacted to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance by curbing corruption.
"For this, the commission must function autonomously and free from external influence. Establishing it as a constitutional body, he argued, would be the only way to safeguard its integrity and ensure its mandate is upheld," he added.
He also noted that many applicants face difficulties in identifying the appropriate appellate authority and suggested simplifying the process.
Additionally, he proposed expanding the RTI Act’s scope to include private entities and organizations where the government holds a stake.
To align with the Act’s preamble, he recommended explicitly including the terms "governmental, autonomous, or local government bodies" to prevent ambiguity in its application.
Rahman further emphasized the need to designate union-level offices under various government ministries as "information-providing units" to streamline access to information at the grassroots level.
He called for the inclusion of "note sheets" within the definition of information, arguing that these internal documents reveal the decision-making roles of individual officers and should be made accessible under the law.
The Right to Information Forum also proposed increasing the penalty for non-compliance with the RTI Act, along with several other amendments.
At the press conference, Shaheen Anam, convener of the RTI Forum and executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, voiced serious concerns over the commission’s inactivity in recent months.
She questioned the interim government’s lack of urgency on the matter, noting that despite repeated appeals in various forums, no concrete action has been taken.
This inaction, she warned, was both surprising and troubling.
Anam also called for reforms to the 2009 RTI Act, arguing that political interference has long prevented the Information Commission from operating independently.
To ensure its effectiveness, she said, it should be restructured as a constitutional body, similar to the Election Commission, making it stronger and more capable of enforcing accountability and transparency.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of civil society platform Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, proposed bringing political parties under the RTI Act.
He reasoned that as constitutionally recognized entities, political parties must uphold transparency and accountability.
The Election Reform Commission has already recommended including them under the law, and failing to do so, he warned, could lead to a repeat of past political crises.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, added that the government must explain why the Information Commission has not been formed in the same manner as the Election Commission or the Anti-Corruption Commission.
TIB chief urged immediate action, emphasizing that the commission must be free from partisan influence.
However, he warned against appointing individuals with a history of opposing information disclosure, as this would fundamentally undermine the RTI Act’s purpose.
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