Anti-corruption initiatives will not be successful unless political and bureaucratic culture changes in the country, said Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman on Sunday.
He said that without the changes, anti-corruption initiatives would not be effective even after a model anti-corruption commission was established in the country.
Iftekharuzzaman made the remarks at a human chain, organised by TIB marking the International Anti-Corruption Day, held in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital.
He said that the ousted authoritarian government wanted to enjoy complete impunity by misusing power and corruption. As a result, every institution, including the ACC was made dysfunctional and professional partisanship was created.
The student-led mass uprising has created an opportunity to bring positive changes, he observed.
A complete reform in the ACC from appointments to operational processes is necessary to make it functional, said Iftekharuzzaman.
Additionally, the political and bureaucratic entities must uphold the spirit of the uprising to abolish corruption, he mentioned.
The interim government has to play a role in establishing an institutional and legal framework so that the next elected government cannot involve in corruption and can carry on the anti-corruption initiatives, said Iftekharuzzaman.
TIB deputy coordinator Zafar Sadiq read the concept note at the event marking the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.
In the concept note, Zafar raised 14-point demand, including establishing a new Bangladesh where people’s voting rights, justice, freedom of speech will be ensured; effective steps to make ACC accountable; an end to political interference in appointments, postings, transfers and judicial processes in judiciary; effective steps to end impunity for corruption in higher level and ensuring transparency and accountability of service providing institutions.