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.

May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023

Does RTI have a future in Bangladesh?

Can public officials ever become transparent in their work and feel accountable to citizens?

April 15, 2023
April 15, 2023

Information Commission’s key role in ensuring right to information

Citizens’ right to monitor, probe and question the work of their governments is essential for democracy.

March 14, 2023
March 14, 2023

RTI for transparency in parliamentary democracy

The Sri Lankan example can spur us to greater and more transformative use of the RTI Act in our country.

February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023

Right to information at home and abroad

The first case was brought to our attention by RTI activists promoting the law at the grassroots level in Bangladesh.

January 14, 2023
January 14, 2023

RTI is more than a right, it is a civic duty

Seeking information is not only a right of citizens, but also a civic duty.

December 14, 2022
December 14, 2022

RTI's decline in the face of global autocratisation

Unless there is a drastic change in the mentality and attitudes of citizens and public officials alike about the new reality, RTI cannot flourish.

October 14, 2022
October 14, 2022

Ask your party to commit to RTI

Two laws form the basis for citizens to affect governance.

September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022

Right to Information in Bangladesh: Are we on the right track?

To obtain the full potentials of the law, we must go beyond such perfunctory rituals and focus more on strategies to go ahead.

August 14, 2022
August 14, 2022

The Sri Lankan crisis spiked intense RTI activity

Sri Lanka has been shaken by a socioeconomic and political crisis that has drawn international attention.

June 15, 2022
June 15, 2022

Right to information in the age of authoritarianism

As authoritarianism creeps in across the world, the ideals of participatory democracy and representative governance have taken a back seat once again in many countries.

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