ACC to turn into now-defunct BAC if amendment passed in JS : TIB
FE Report | Thursday, 3 March 2011
FE Report
Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over the revised Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill that was placed in parliament Tuesday, saying that it will spoil the freedom of the Commission. According to the proposed amendment, the Commission will require prior permission from the government before filing any charges or cases against government officials and also officials in the judiciary. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman in a statement issued Wednesday said the Prime Minister in her election manifesto firmly said her government will further strengthen the ACC to ensure good governance and curb corruption. "But the proposed bill placed in parliament was very much contradictory with her commitment," he said, adding that it will be a matter of frustration if the amendments get approval. If the law is changed as per the government's proposals, the ACC will become now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption which will not be a good sign for the nation, the TIB official feared. "It will make the ACC dependent on the government. ACC's jurisdiction will be reduced and its freedom will be curtailed," he added. The TIB executive director also requested the Prime Minister, parliamentary committee and lawmakers not to pass the controversial amendments and take public opinions in this connection.
Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over the revised Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill that was placed in parliament Tuesday, saying that it will spoil the freedom of the Commission. According to the proposed amendment, the Commission will require prior permission from the government before filing any charges or cases against government officials and also officials in the judiciary. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman in a statement issued Wednesday said the Prime Minister in her election manifesto firmly said her government will further strengthen the ACC to ensure good governance and curb corruption. "But the proposed bill placed in parliament was very much contradictory with her commitment," he said, adding that it will be a matter of frustration if the amendments get approval. If the law is changed as per the government's proposals, the ACC will become now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption which will not be a good sign for the nation, the TIB official feared. "It will make the ACC dependent on the government. ACC's jurisdiction will be reduced and its freedom will be curtailed," he added. The TIB executive director also requested the Prime Minister, parliamentary committee and lawmakers not to pass the controversial amendments and take public opinions in this connection.