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.
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.
Appoint missing commissioners to keep RTI Act alive
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Shamsul Bari and Ruhi Naz
Soon after the interim government assumed power six months ago, the three Information Commissioner posts in Bangladesh became vacant. Without the commissioners, the Information Commission itself—the pivot of the Right to Information (RTI) regime—becomes dysfunctional. Citizens seeking information and the authorities providing it find themselves in limbo. In the absence of the Information Commission monitoring their work, government officials feel less inclined to respond to citizens’ information requests, who, in turn, question whether it is worth pursuing a request. As a result, the entire RTI Act withers, along with the concept of citizens’ right to monitor the government’s work to improve governance. This development contradicts the aspirations of the country’s youth, who helped bring the interim government to power.
To obtain a clearer picture of the ground realities, we consulted different groups in the country engaged in promoting and using the RTI Act. Though not a scientific method, the process confirmed our fears. The following are some of our findings, albeit anecdotal.
