Thrust on proper environ for people working against graft

FE Report | December 09, 2014 00:00:00

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), an anti-graft watchdog, formed a human chain at TSC at Dhaka University Monday marking the International Anti-Corruption Day 2014. — Focus Bangla Photo

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) called upon the government Monday to ensure proper environment for the people working against corruption in the country to save the nation from this menace.

"Unfortunately, sometimes high-ups from the government publicly criticise people working voluntarily to abolish corruption that hampers scope for work of the community people," TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said while attending a human chain programme in the city.

The local chapter of the Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) organised the programme ahead of 'International Anti-Corruption Day' at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University (DU).

DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (academic) Prof Dr Nasreen Ahmad and TIB Deputy Executive Director Dr Sumaiya Khair, among others, spoke at the event, where DU students and members of the Yes Group participated.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman also called upon the government to ensure exemplary punishment to corrupted people irrespective of their political or personal identities. He said political will can play a vital role in this connection.

He said the government has taken many positive initiatives at national and international levels to eliminate corruption from the country. He, however, urged the government not to shrink scope of involving general and civil society people from the movement.

The local office chief also stressed the need for ensuring free and fair environment for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to get expected outcome from the institution.

He also called upon the government to take necessary measures to recognise the International Day against Corruption (December 09) and to observe the day officially.

Speaking at the event, Prof Nasreen Ahmad said allowing minor corruption can lead to large-scale irregularities. She also urged the general people, particularly students, to protest corruption from the individual level right now.

Prof Nasreen officiated the oath-taking ceremony, where participants took oath to work for eradicating corruption from the country.

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