Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over the alarming rise of a “now it’s our turn” attitude among certain leaders and activists of some political parties in the country, marked by the abuse of power.
TIB stated that since the fall of authoritarianism, partisanship, extortion, occupation, looting of state resources, case-trading, arrest-trading, bail-trading, tag-trading, and dominance-based violence have been rampant across the country. These practices pose a serious threat to the establishment of a new political order in a new Bangladesh.
The organisation expressed these concerns in a press release issued on Sunday. The release noted that while there is talk of reform, the culture of dominance, occupation, and extortion continues unabated, trampling the public aspiration for a democratic “new Bangladesh.”
Executive Director of TIB Dr Iftekharuzzaman stated in the release that the activities of certain influential leaders and activists from the most dominant political parties in the past year reflect the multifaceted abuse of power and self-serving unhealthy practices of the fallen authoritarian era’s ruling party.
He said, “Corrupt political activities have once again become normalised, involving direct or sometimes collusive engagement by sections of leaders and activists from power-seeking and influential parties.”
The release further stated that the public has witnessed the use of force to realise demands, along with the involvement of certain religion-based political parties and isolated over-empowered entities. Under the guise of so-called “mobocracy”, minorities, gender-based groups, indigenous communities, and marginalised populations have been deprived of their rights. There have been vicious attacks on efforts to establish women’s rights and brutal assaults on traditional and cultural activities.
Iftekharuzzaman added, “Although high-level leaders of the concerned parties have issued warnings in some cases and taken significant organisational actions, law enforcement agencies and the administration have consistently failed to effectively address these issues. In many instances, they have even played a supportive and protective role. Meanwhile, political parties have not adopted any specific corrective or preventive strategies.”
TIB noted that even new political parties emerging from anti-discrimination movements, despite promising to represent good governance, transparency, and a corruption-free political culture, have seen some of their leaders and activists engage in extortion and various irregularities. By embracing existing self-serving and corrupt political practices as role models, they have chosen a self-destructive path.
Iftekharuzzaman stated, “Ultimately, the long-awaited ‘new political arrangement’ post-authoritarianism risks being held hostage by the old, unhealthy political culture.”
He emphasised, “Political parties must abandon self-destructive practices, learn from the core spirit of the anti-authoritarian and anti-discrimination movement, and consider the party as a crucial institution of democracy. They should foster internal democratic practices, accountability, honesty, and ethical activities to build a people-centric political culture.”
He warned, “If political parties fail to ensure internal accountability, ethical practices, and democratic management, the disappointment of the martyrs, injured, and affected of the historic July movement, as well as the general public, will only grow.”