The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Sunday the need to demonstrate the government's zero-tolerance stance against corruption has become critically important given the recent high level abuses of power, corruption, and political criminalisation — including the killing of a ruling party MP, US sanctions against a former army chief, and the seizure of bank accounts and assets of a retired RAB and police chief in response to court directives.
In a statement referring to the corruption allegations against the former army chief, the police and RAB chief, and the killing of the MP, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “If the government and the ruling party only offer evasive explanations out of embarrassment, it will not only be unacceptable to the people but also be suicidal for the government. The citizens of this country are already valid realising that the three highly publicised incidents are not isolated; they are symptomatic of deep-seated institutionalised corruption and represent just a tip of the iceberg.
"It is also clear that the responsibility for these crimes extend beyond those directly involved. Therefore, unless together with the direct perpetrators, those who aid, abet, benefit from, and protect them are held accountable, the government's election promises will be deemed as empty rhetoric, and corruption and wrongdoing will continue to proliferate further. Therefore, we urge to hold the high-level power abuse accountable by following due process and to release a whitepaper on corruption."
He further said, “The unaccountable actions of former heads of significant state forces such as the Army, RAB, and the Police, along with a lawmaker, have instilled doubts and concerns about the government, the state system, and the governance structure in the public's mind. These concerns need to be credibly addressed through exemplary accountability. Furthermore, the promptness exhibited by relevant institutions, including the ACC, should not be eventually diminished to mere formalities and eyewash.”
The anti-graft ogranisation stated, "A detailed reflection of the ruling party's successive political declarations and pledges against corruption is evident in their election manifesto for the 12th National Parliamentary Election. This year's manifesto includes a chapter-long commitment with six sections dedicated to ensuring accountable governance and more than a dozen specific commitments aimed at preventing and controlling corruption. However, there is no strategy or roadmap for implementing these grand promises.
"Given this reality and the emerging situation, if the government and the ruling party want to demonstrate the minimum credibility of their promises, they must disclose the existing nature of high level power abuse, which is fundamental element to all three cases, and publish a whitepaper on corruption across institutions and sectors."
Additionally, consistent with the ruling party's election manifesto, TIB calls for the establishment of short, medium, and long-term strategies and road-map to ensure good governance and prevent corruption.
