Politicians, bureaucracy failed to learn from July Uprising: TIB
"If mob culture is not properly controlled, violence may occur in the upcoming election, as seen in previous polls," it said.
Politicians and the bureaucracy have failed to learn lessons from the July Uprising, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said today (2 February), underscoring the need to depoliticise state institutions to ensure democratic reforms.
Speaking at an event in the TIB office in Dhaka for the release of its research report titled "One and a Half Years After the Fall of Authoritarianism: Expectations and Outcomes", he warned that failure to control mob violence could lead to unrest during the upcoming 12 February election.
"If mob culture is not properly controlled, violence may occur in the upcoming election, as seen in previous polls," he said, adding that the government must act firmly to curb such incidents.
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He cautioned that the risk of violence could persist even after election day, noting that the government is aware of the situation and has both the authority and capacity to act.
Referring to cases linked to the July Uprising, Iftekharuzzaman said journalists have been detained in numerous instances, raising concerns over whether justice is being served or retaliation is taking place.
He stressed that genuine accountability requires fair trials for those responsible for killings, human rights violations, corruption, money laundering and tax evasion.
He also criticised the broadcasting and media commission ordinances, saying the media sector remains neglected and vulnerable, and questioned whether the interim government is genuinely committed to ensuring a free and safe press.
On reforms such as the proposed independent secretariat for the Supreme Court, he said their effectiveness would depend on the next government, warning that politicisation within the judiciary remains a major challenge.
