Documentary on Information as Right: use of RTI Act by civil rights activists.
Documentary on Information as Right: use of RTI Act by civil rights activists- Click for Watch.
Citizens lament RTI paralysis in Bangladesh
Jun 15, 2025
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
FILE VISUAL: SHAIKH SULTANA JAHAN BADHON
“I think there is a deliberate attempt to downgrade the use of the RTI law. There are no protection mechanisms in place to protect whistleblowers, and we hear about so many incidences of corruption and malpractice daily, but how do you raise the alarm?”
This is a typical lament of an activist who uses Bangladesh’s Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009 to unearth corruption and hold the government to democratic account. Since the departure of the three Information Commissioners soon after the 2024 July uprising, this column has sought to draw the interim government’s attention to the urgent need to appoint a new set of commissioners. We emphasised that, apart from the urgent reform of various institutions and mechanisms of governance destroyed through past misrule, there was an overriding need to uphold the importance of citizens’ role in monitoring the work of all public authorities for better governance. This, we argued, can be advanced by conscious citizens’ unhindered use of the RTI law. We underlined that the emergence of an alert group of youthful citizens who spearheaded the uprising was propitious for better and more effective use of the law and for taking it forward.
How to use RTI when there are no information commissioners
Thursday 15 May 2025
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
VISUAL: FATEMA JAHAN ENA
The right to information (RTI) regime in Bangladesh lost momentum with the departure of all three commissioners of the Information Commission following the mass uprising in July-August 2024. However, determined citizens are trying to make do and refusing to give up. Conferring with RTI activists from around the country, we can discern how they are creatively making the most of the situation.
In Dinajpur sadar, an RTI applicant was outraged by the quality of public healthcare services at local facilities. Reports of inadequate medical supplies, cleanliness, and insufficient staff were widespread. The lack of transparency regarding healthcare budgets and service standards further exacerbated the community’s concerns. Responding to these challenges, she filed an RTI request with the relevant health authorities, seeking information about the allocated healthcare budgets, expenditures, and service standards for local healthcare facilities. To her utter delight, she and others soon noticed a conspicuous change in the quality of healthcare services in the concerned area. The authorities appeared to have immediately undertaken a review of their service standards. Medical supplies were replenished, cleanliness and hygiene were improved, and efforts were made to ensure staffing levels met the established standards.
How do our neighbours use the RTI law?
Sunday, April 16, 2025
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
VISUAL: STAR
Since the interim government took office following the July-August uprising in 2024, this column has mainly aimed to draw the attention of our youth to the enormous potential of the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2009 as an instrument to realise their dream of just and equitable governance. However, with the departure of the three information commissioners, the Information Commission of Bangladesh (ICB) virtually became a defunct body. While we await the revival of the commission, we can learn how our neighbours in the region benefit from the law.
A perennial concern of RTI users worldwide is the definition of “public authority.” Public institutions like to avoid being included in this definition so they can refuse to respond to RTI requests. Even the Indian Supreme Court once argued that it fell outside the Indian Right to Information Act, 2005, but had to change its stance due to relentless RTI activism. Our Supreme Court, too, appears to consider itself to be outside the scope of the law as it has not named a designated officer as mandated by our RTI Act 16 years after its adoption.
Last month, the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka ruled that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) fell within the country’s Right to Information Act, 2016. This meant that professional bodies performing public functions must respect citizens’ right to access information.
RTI Act is on life support
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
Right to Information (RTI) Act in Bangladesh is in danger. We have had no information commissioner to implement the RTI Act for six months. Now, another ominous development looms large—the suspension and likely termination of US government-funded projects in the country following executive orders of US President Donald Trump. RTI projects are included.
However, this allows the nation to reflect on and act upon open governance, the main objective of RTI law. This is of such tremendous national importance that its advancement should not depend upon foreign funding. As the prime movers of the law, citizens of the country have kept it alive since its adoption 16 years ago. Alternative arrangements must be found for them to continue this important task.
Our youth who spearheaded the July 2024 uprising in the country, bringing new hope for the people, can use RTI to further their objectives. The formation of the new National Citizens Party (NCP) by them raises hope. Their commitment to the law may inspire other political parties—which have shown little or no interest so far—to follow suit.
