Make Information Commission an independent constitutional body: Speakers

HIGHLIGHTS

• Incorporate union-level offices as information providing units
• Bring political parties under the RTI Act
• Match information commissioners' rank, salary, and benefits with  judges
• Make all govt-partnered institutions accountable under the RTI Act

To ensure the Information Commission functions independently and upholds democracy, transparency, accountability, and good governance, speakers at a press conference have proposed making it an independent constitutional body. 

They also suggested several amendments to the Right to Information Act, 2009.

The recommendations were made during a press conference titled "Effectiveness of the Information Commission and Amendments to the Right to Information Act," organised by the Right to Information Forum at the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) office in Dhaka yesterday.

The speakers also criticised the government's inaction in restructuring the commission and appointing commissioners, pointing out that the Information Commission has remained non-functional for the past six months due to a lack of employees.

To ensure the commission remains functional, speakers proposed that qualified individuals be appointed as the chief information commissioner and other commissioners be appointed in a timely manner. 

Additionally, they suggested that vacant positions in the commission be filled within a maximum of 45 days.

Furthermore, recommendations were made to align the rank, salary, and benefits of information commissioners, as well as their removal procedures, with those of judges.

In a written statement, Hasibur Rahman, executive director of Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), stated that the Information Commission should be established as an independent constitutional body with permanence and an official seal. 

He further suggested that the commission should have the power to acquire, retain, and transfer both movable and immovable property and have the legal capacity to file lawsuits or be sued.

Hasibur also noted that applicants often face difficulties in identifying the appropriate appellate authority, necessitating a more streamlined process. 

He suggested that all government-partnered institutions be brought under the Right to Information framework, with an expanded scope for private organisations.

He further proposed that union offices under various government departments, directorates, or offices affiliated with various ministries and government divisions should be incorporated as "Information Providing Units" under the RTI Act.

At the press conference, Right to Information Forum Convener and Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation Shaheen Anam expressed concerns over the commission's six-month-long inactivity.

"We have been watching with great concern that the Information Commission has remained non-functional for months. Despite repeated discussions on this issue across different platforms, the interim government has shown no enthusiasm to address it. This is both surprising and worrying," she said.

She emphasised the need for reforms in the RTI Act, which was enacted in 2009. 

"Due to political influence, the Information Commission has never been able to function independently. We want it to be an independent constitutional body, like the Election Commission. This would strengthen the commission and enhance transparency and accountability," she added.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), proposed including political parties under the RTI Act. 

"Political parties are constitutionally recognised institutions, and their transparency and accountability are crucial. Even the Election System Reform Commission has recommended bringing political parties under this law," he said.

"If political parties lack transparency and accountability, history may repeat itself," he warned.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, criticised the interim government's failure to restructure the Information Commission like the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission.

"We believe the government should take immediate steps to address this," he said.

Highlighting the need for reforms, he added, "At one point, the Information Commission was run by political cadres, with individuals loyal to the ruling party holding leadership positions.

"We hope the same will not happen under the interim government."

"However, it is also crucial to ensure that individuals appointed to the commission have no history of obstructing the dissemination of information. If such individuals are appointed, the core purpose of the Information Commission will be compromised, and it will fail in its mission," he said.