EU for 'independent' functioning of ACC
Sunday, 9 May 2010
FE Report
The European Union has urged the government to allow 'independent' functioning of the anti-graft watchdog, saying it is an important element to democracy and development.
"The Anti-Corruption Commission should be independent-financially and politically," Stefan Frowein, head of the EU delegation, said.
"This is an essential element to the development and democracy and to make it a meaningful organisation, it must be allowed to function independently," he told a press briefing on the eve of Europe Day in the city.
His comments came as the government brought some key changes to the laws related to the commission, curtailing its power to prosecute and take legal action against the corrupt suspects.
"We're observing the situation," said the delegation head of the regional block, which handed out 450 million euros to Bangladesh in aid in 2008.
The delegation chief also said parliament is still not a place for dialogue, although it has improved compared with the past.
"Parliamentary committees have been established. But we're not happy. There is too much confrontational dialogue," he said.
He said political parties should resolve all problems through dialogue.
Danish ambassador Einar H Jensen, French ambassador Charley Causeret, German ambassador Holger Michael, Italian ambassador Dr. Itala Occhi, Spanish ambassador Arturo Perez Martinez, and Swedish ambassador Britt F Hagstrom, were present at the briefing in the city.
Referring to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Mr. Frowein said the EU wants full implementation of the CHT peace accord to improve the situation over there.
Frowein praised Bangladesh's role on climate change issue, saying that Bangladesh needs to take the lead of the LDCs in Asia.
About the EU funding for tackling climate change in Bangladesh, the EU ambassador said more money is in the pipeline.
The European Union has urged the government to allow 'independent' functioning of the anti-graft watchdog, saying it is an important element to democracy and development.
"The Anti-Corruption Commission should be independent-financially and politically," Stefan Frowein, head of the EU delegation, said.
"This is an essential element to the development and democracy and to make it a meaningful organisation, it must be allowed to function independently," he told a press briefing on the eve of Europe Day in the city.
His comments came as the government brought some key changes to the laws related to the commission, curtailing its power to prosecute and take legal action against the corrupt suspects.
"We're observing the situation," said the delegation head of the regional block, which handed out 450 million euros to Bangladesh in aid in 2008.
The delegation chief also said parliament is still not a place for dialogue, although it has improved compared with the past.
"Parliamentary committees have been established. But we're not happy. There is too much confrontational dialogue," he said.
He said political parties should resolve all problems through dialogue.
Danish ambassador Einar H Jensen, French ambassador Charley Causeret, German ambassador Holger Michael, Italian ambassador Dr. Itala Occhi, Spanish ambassador Arturo Perez Martinez, and Swedish ambassador Britt F Hagstrom, were present at the briefing in the city.
Referring to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Mr. Frowein said the EU wants full implementation of the CHT peace accord to improve the situation over there.
Frowein praised Bangladesh's role on climate change issue, saying that Bangladesh needs to take the lead of the LDCs in Asia.
About the EU funding for tackling climate change in Bangladesh, the EU ambassador said more money is in the pipeline.