Transparency International Bangladesh on Sunday urged the government to bring the high-level power abuse under accountability following due process and to release a White Paper on corruption.
The organisation came up with the call in a statement, saying that the recent exposure of high-level abuses of power, corruption, and political criminalisation need to demonstrate the credibility of the government鈥檚 zero-tolerance stance on corruption, which has become unprecedentedly important.
In the statement, the body mentioned the incidents of killing of a ruling party lawmaker, the punitive United聽 States visa sanctions against a former army chief, and the court order to seize bank accounts and assets of a former police chief.
Referring to the corruption allegations against the former army chief, the police chief, and the killing of the lawmaker, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said, 鈥業f 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.鈥�
He said, 鈥楾he unaccountable actions of former heads of significant state forces such as the army, the RAB, and the police, along with a lawmaker, have instilled doubts and concerns about the government and the governance structure in the people鈥檚 mind.鈥�
鈥楾hese 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,鈥� he added.
TIB also said that if the government and the ruling party wanted to demonstrate the minimum credibility of their promises, they must disclose the existing nature of high level power abuse, and publish a White Paper on corruption across institutions and sectors.
