TIB NEWSLETTER Volume 12, No. 4, October-December 2008 ‘Wake-up People’ Campaign Observance of IACD Fighting Corruption: Turning Commitment into Action Six Journalists Awarded Youth Gatherings Report on Election Process Tracking TI Bribe Payers Index Candidates of Parliamentary Election Face the Public Election Manifesto & Gender Sensitivity Editorial We Want a Truly Effective Parliament he Ninth Jatiya Sangsad (the national parliament) has Questions were raised about the transparency and Tcome into being with unprecedented expectations that integrity of some parliament members, especially in terms it will be the key institution to deliver the electoral pledges of exercising undue influence in administration, influence- of the government to establish transparent and peddling in tender processes for public procurement; accountable governance in Bangladesh as well as exercising power on partisan basis in project effectively control corruption. At the national election implementation at local level; supporting militant and anti- leading to the formation of this parliament corruption was social activities; extortion, illegal occupation of land and at the core of public discourse. Fighting corruption was other properties; accumulating income and asset from among the top-ranking commitments by all major political undisclosed sources; preventing rule of law; and misusing parties competing in the election, especially the two largest entitlement as members of parliament. parties of the two main alliances. According to a TIB research titled Parliament Watch almost While the people of Bangladesh have once again 20 crore taka were wasted in the 8th Parliament simply due demonstrated their unqualified voice and demand for to delayed commencement of participatory democracy, they have also voted proceeding for lack of quorum. Most the grand alliance led by the of the standing committees on Bangladesh Awami League (AL) ministries failed to meet at least to power with resounding victory once a month, which is stipulated thanks to its strategic thrust on as per the rules of procedure the issue of corruption. adopted by the parliament itself. The first major step in People of Bangladesh expect the controlling corruption, therefore, 9th Parliament to make a hugely has been taken. Anywhere in qualitative difference form all the world where corruption has these. They do not want to see been effectively controlled, top any repeat of the boycott culture. level political will and government commitment has been They want this parliament to set much higher standards the key catalyst. The AL has also pledged to meet the next than in the past by distancing from the "winner takes all" key precondition, e.g., establishment of rule of law, through approach. People want their elected representatives to effective functioning of the key institutions of democracy attend sessions regularly and on time, and raise voice in and national integrity system. their favour and for adopting pro-people laws and policies. They want the parliamentary committees to work A close look at the AL manifesto shows clearly how it gave effectively and hold the Government accountable by preeminence to the issue of anti-corruption. A large reviewing the working of the relevant ministries, number of specific commitments were made to create investigating allegations of corruption, and taking effective conditions to control corruption, at the core of which was measures as per law. making the parliament effective so that the government can be held accountable, a pledge echoed with almost The electorate wants the Speaker to rise above partisan equal emphasis by most other parties including the largest position and be strictly neutral in conducting the business opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. of the House. They want the MPs to lead by example in terms of transparency, honesty, integrity and ethical We want these commitments to be met, especially that for standards in such a manner that is consistent with an effective parliament, which is the sine qua non in a parliamentary practice. parliamentary form of Government for creating an institutional structure against corruption as well as for Selflessness and capacity to rise above partisan political strengthening democracy. behaviour; exercising accommodation and tolerance of constructing criticism; distancing from conflict of interest; The main responsibilities of a parliament are to frame and and above all exercise of zero tolerance to corruption are reform laws, and to hold the Government accountable by the virtues that people want to see in their representatives ensuring effective oversight functioning of the elected to the Parliament. parliamentary committees. It is a commonplace wisdom that our parliament could not play this role in the past. The In all these, political leaders from both the ruling and parliament was bedevilled by multifarious problems opposition parties have their own due roles to play. It is our including absenteeism leading to quorum crises, boycott of political leaders who have led Bangladesh through all parliament, confrontational political culture undermining milestones of achievements in socio-political issues of public interest in the proceedings of the sessions, transformations. We urge upon our elected representatives and sheer lack of commitment of the Members of the to have the acumen to live upto the challenge once again Parliament (MPs) to make the parliamentary committees and deliver a truly effective 9th Parliament. effective largely because of conflict of interest. WAVES : TIB Newsletter 2 Cover Story ‘Wake-up People’ Campaign Building Anti- Corruption Public Opinion he reconstituted Anti-Corruption Commission and TIB undertook a year-long This campaign has generated Tcampaign called ‘Wake-up People’ in order to create a favourable environment much enthusiasm throughout for curbing corruption in the country. This campaign was launched on the Bangladesh about the anti- International Anti-corruption Day in 2007 and continued up to 9 December 2008. corruption programmes of TIB. It has especially succeeded in Carried forward with the slogan ‘Wake-up People, Resist Corruption’, the main swaying the youth community. It objective of this campaign was to motivate all sections of people to play their due had such an impact on the youths role in actively deterring corruption through generation of awareness on the subject. that the YES programme of TIB It is expected that corruption will be socially resisted and the national integrity has been strengthened throughout system will be strengthened alongside creation of goodwill among the government the country. The youths have been and politicians for combating corruption. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) motivated with an anti-corruption recognised the contribution of TIB in fighting corruption and establishing good spirit through their direct inclusion governance in the country largely after its own reforms. Side by side, it expressed in it. The presence and participation its willingness to work together with TIB in the anti-corruption movement. As a of youths in this programme have follow-up, the TIB and ACC jointly undertook this anti-corruption campaign by fulfilled our expectations involving the masses across the country. adequately. Although the campaign spoke about the involvement of all sections of citizens, its Advocate Saiful Islam Reza main goal was to motivate the younger generation with an anti-corruption spirit. Convener, CCC-Chapai Nawabganj Besides, its principal objective was to make the youths conscious about taking a stand against corruption by abhorring its presence in their academic and professional lives. On the other hand, the ‘Wake-up People’ campaign was organised by incorporating the themes of refraining and resisting corruption, and disseminating information about it with the aim: The slogan ‘Wake-up People, Resist Corruption’ is undoubtedly a timely • Launch national and local level campaign using suitable tools and media; slogan which raises awareness in society. But I hold the view that • Increase local level citizens awareness, motivation and participation; although the people are always • Take special efforts for youth outreach and engagement; and awake, it is our leadership who remain asleep. The youth community • Engage various social groups and organizations, especially at local levels. may wage social movement, but there should be a legal base for its practical Although there is need for raising the awareness and participation of general enforcement. I think that the anti- masses in anti-corruption initiatives, participation in them by various sections of corruption gatherings have not only public administration is no less important. Based on this realization, the ACC and provided enjoyment to the youths, TIB implemented this programme by involving government organizations. Their they inspired the youths with an anti- positive cooperation and participation in this anti-corruption programme reflected corruption spirit. I believe that the the sincere goodwill of the government in deterring corruption. latent leadership quality among people will be aroused through this Under this campaign, various anti-corruption activities were organized both at the campaign. national and local levels, especially in the CCC (TIB-inspired committees of concern S A Mahfuzul Haque Nuruzzaman citizens) areas on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Days during 2007 BPM, Superintendent of Police, and 2008. Besides, various