Shamsul Bari

The writer is the Chairman of Research Initiatives, Bangladesh (RIB) and a former Director of UNHCR.

There is so much more to the RTI Act

Clearly, most citizens are unaware of the tremendous bounties the RTI Act has to offer

1w ago

Reassuring stories of progress

The RTI law has been kept alive over the years largely through the efforts of a few dedicated NGOs and die-hard RTI activists.

RTI can help our new government fulfil its election pledges

As governments become more adept at manipulating democratic institutions to advance their own goals, mechanisms have evolved to curb such tendencies, such as “right to information” or “freedom of information” laws.

Our Information Commission has mettle after all

In the last few months, we have received some very encouraging feedback from users of the RTI law about the Information Commission's work.

RTI unearths discrimination against female students

Bangladesh’s High Court has asked the authorities of a public university to allow pregnant and married female students to remain in the dormitories for the time being

How right to information helped Sri Lanka manage its crisis

Through the RTI Commission of Sri Lanka, citizens could weight in on matters impacting the nation.

The information commission is a prime mover of the RTI Act

The experiences of Sri Lanka and Pakistan are lessons for everyone concerned with promoting the right to information.

If your court case is stuck for lack of evidence, try RTI

Indications of the growing maturity of RTI Act users and the increasing willingness of public officials to abide by its provisions are indeed welcome developments.

March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024

There is so much more to the RTI Act

Clearly, most citizens are unaware of the tremendous bounties the RTI Act has to offer

February 15, 2024
February 15, 2024

Reassuring stories of progress

The RTI law has been kept alive over the years largely through the efforts of a few dedicated NGOs and die-hard RTI activists.

January 15, 2024
January 15, 2024

RTI can help our new government fulfil its election pledges

As governments become more adept at manipulating democratic institutions to advance their own goals, mechanisms have evolved to curb such tendencies, such as “right to information” or “freedom of information” laws.

December 15, 2023
December 15, 2023

Our Information Commission has mettle after all

In the last few months, we have received some very encouraging feedback from users of the RTI law about the Information Commission's work.

November 15, 2023
November 15, 2023

RTI unearths discrimination against female students

Bangladesh’s High Court has asked the authorities of a public university to allow pregnant and married female students to remain in the dormitories for the time being

October 15, 2023
October 15, 2023

How right to information helped Sri Lanka manage its crisis

Through the RTI Commission of Sri Lanka, citizens could weight in on matters impacting the nation.

September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023

The information commission is a prime mover of the RTI Act

The experiences of Sri Lanka and Pakistan are lessons for everyone concerned with promoting the right to information.

August 15, 2023
August 15, 2023

If your court case is stuck for lack of evidence, try RTI

Indications of the growing maturity of RTI Act users and the increasing willingness of public officials to abide by its provisions are indeed welcome developments.

July 15, 2023
July 15, 2023

RTI: A law that can bring joy to citizens

To the tremendous potential of the RTI Act, there are a handful of RTI activists and enthusiasts in Bangladesh who persevere to take the law forward with their zeal and determination.

June 15, 2023
June 15, 2023

Why do we fail to utilise our Right to Information Act?

In a country with such a politically-oriented population, why has RTI not caught on?

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