Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has accused the current government of removing significant state information that was published on various official websites during the previous interim government’s tenure.
He made the allegations on Sunday during a press conference held at the TIB office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
The event, titled “Immediate Formation of Information Commission and Necessary Amendments to the Right to Information Act 2009,” was organised by the Right to Information Forum.
During the session, Iftekharuzzaman said the responsibility for the removal of important information from government websites lies with the current administration.
He said the government cannot take such actions because citizens have a right to access all information, regardless of whether it is deemed right or wrong, or if it is for or against the state.
He urged the government to reconsider the logical basis for this decision to delete information.
When questioned by journalists regarding the specific nature of the removed data, the TIB Executive Director noted that certain decisions and information related to the Chief Adviser’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office have been taken down.
Consequently, these records are no longer searchable online.
Iftekharuzzaman further alleged that the Information Commission had been rendered ineffective during the previous Awami League government’s tenure. He added that the subsequent interim government also failed to allow the commission to be properly established during its one-and-a-half-year rule.
Following these observations, the Right to Information Forum demanded the immediate formation of an Information Commission consisting of qualified individuals free from partisan influence. The forum also called for necessary amendments to the Right to Information Act.
