Implement information rights act to ensure good governance: Shujan

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Central Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder says the more the information rights act is implemented, the more a positive environment will emerge for the establishment of good governance in society and country.

"Usually the state imposes different types of laws on citizens but the Right to Information Act 2009 is the only law that enables citizens to apply the law to various organisations. Proper implementation [of the Information Act]  can help build transparent, corruption-free, and accountable institutions," said the Shujan central secretary at a human chain in front of the National Museum in the capital on Tuesday.

Shujan and The Hunger Project jointly organised the event on the occasion of International Right to Information Day. This year, the day is being celebrated across the country in various formal means at the initiative of the two organisations.

Badiul Alam Majumder said the Right to Information Act is undoubtedly a landmark law. If the proper implementation of this law is ensured, it is possible to bring transparency to the work of government and non-government organisations, establish accountability, reduce corruption, and above all, establish good governance.

To this end, limitations in implementing the act have to be overcome and some important action has to be continued in this regard in the future, he added.

Shujan has made some recommendations which include creating awareness among people that access to information is a human and civil right and the main purpose of the act is to ensure transparency and accountability in government and non-government organisations and thereby eliminate corruption.

Necessary measures have to be taken to improve the skills of officers involved in providing information. Besides bureaucrats, journalists, experts on mass media, information, law and public relations have to be appointed to the information commission. 

From filing an application online for faster delivery of information services to getting the information requested, all have to be assessed, and the process streamlined.

Shujan's Central Coordinator, Dilip Kumar Sarkar, conducted the programme. Among others, Bikoshito Nari Network Secretary, Advocate Rashida Akhter Shelly, and other professionals from Shujan's Dhaka metropolitan office spoke on the occasion.

In 2015, the Unesco General Conference decided to observe 28 September as the International Right to Information Day. The day has been celebrated in Bangladesh since 2016.