Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday urged the government to immediately reconstitute an independent Information Commission, citing over a year of inaction that has hindered citizens’ access to information.
In a statement marking International Day for Universal Access to Information, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman criticized the interim government for failing to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2009 or make the commission functional, despite repeated calls from civil society.
The group pointed to unresolved RTI complaints, slow officer training and widespread secrecy in government offices as evidence of the need for urgent reform. TIB called for appointing qualified, conflict-free commissioners, strengthening the commission’s independence and expanding the RTI Act to cover political parties and private institutions.
It also urged mandatory financial disclosures from parties via the Election Commission and an end to surveillance mechanisms under restrictive laws. Iftekharuzzaman said the law’s implementation has suffered from political reluctance and past partisan behavior by commissioners.