TIB contests claim of ‘highest human rights’ under BNP govt

The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has disputed claims by Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Mahdi Amin that the BNP government has ensured unprecedented levels of human rights during its seven months in office.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said his data paints a different picture of the human rights landscape, as he cited dozens of arrests for exercising the freedom of speech, seven custodial deaths and at least one incident of enforced disappearance by a state-run security agency.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Mahdi Amin made their case while addressing a discussion session on “democracy, human rights and accountable governance” held at the MIDAS Centre, Dhanmondi in the capital on Tuesday.

Speaking as the chief guest Mahdi Amin, said the government ensured the highest level of freedom of speech over the past seven months, when even vulgar remarks were tolerated. In a view to uphold the July Uprising’s spirit, the government demonstrated the highest level of tolerance and the willingness to coexist will all.

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The government wants to ensure inclusive state machinery and development process by rectifying any and all gaps found in the governance process.

He acknowledged that there were limitations as it is not possible to uproot the remnants of 17 years of fascist rule in one go.

Yet, this much can be asserted that no incident of human rights violations took place in connection with running the state, Mahdi Amin said.

Furthermore, the state was not behind any incident of enforced disappearance, murder, extrajudicial killing and custodial death. There was also no state-backed attacks on the opinions and ideologies of opposing and dissenting parties, Mahdi Amin claimed.

 Iftekharuzzaman countered the claims saying he had received reports of 52 cases of harassments for exercising the right to speech. In these incidents, 58 people have been held under the “Anti-Terrorism Act.”

He also cited cases of custodial deaths and enforced disappearance.

The TIB chief also criticised the lawmaking process by the BNP-dominated parliament. Many ordinances from the interim government era have been transformed into regular laws, but not one of these laws went through an inclusive vetting process.

The law enforcement mechanism has been retained within the authority of one or a few individuals. Those who are responsible for violating human rights are the very ones with the power to put the crimes on trial.

He called the continuation of the process as undemocratic and unwarranted. Nothing has changed since the uprising ousted a fascist regime, Iftekharuzzaman alleged.

Mahdi Amin addressed the criticisms on lawmaking, saying lawmaking is a continuous process, which allows room for amendments. Discussions are ongoing with the concerned stakeholders for upgrading the laws, he claimed.

Those concerned are also trying to integrate people with different views in the process, the TIB chief added.

Thorough or “100%” change is not possible in one go, and there is no precedent for such radical change anywhere in the world, Mahdi Amin said.

But the concerned officials are continuing talks with stakeholders from different backgrounds and making amendments where necessary, he added.