Speakers at a discussion yesterday called for proper implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Ordinance, saying that it will take the country a step forward towards ensuring good governance.
Welcoming the gazette publication of the ordinance on October 20, they highlighted the challenges and strategies to implement it.
Mass-line Media Centre (MMC) in association with Unesco organised the discussion at IDB auditorium in the city to mark the International Right to Know Day 2008.
The obstacles to implementing the ordinance are lack of political will, culture of secrecy and lack of awareness among the people about RTI, said Kamrul Hassan Manju, executive director of MMC, in his welcome speech.
He also stressed the need to form an information commission, which must play an active role. At the same time, some rules such as Official Secrecy Act might hinder the implementation of RTI, he added.
Talking about strategies for dealing with the challenges, the speakers stressed the need to develop an initial action plan, form a task force to carry out the plan and break down the culture of secrecy.
Encouraging openness through intensive training of public officials and authorities concerned, initiation and promotion of strong partnerships and engagement of civil society and monitoring the implementation process through annual reporting to parliament, recommendations for reforms and periodic parliamentary review of the law are equally important, they added.
Speaking as the chief guest, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Choudhury said the political government, local government, civil society and human rights groups have a role to play in implementing the RTI and it should not be misused in the name of disclosure of information.
She also hoped that the next elected government would place the ordinance in parliament for making it a law, as the ordinance is the outcome of longstanding movement by various rights organisations.
Terming the ordinance a great achievement, former adviser to the caretaker government Mahbubul Alam said the people now have got the right to ask the government for any information.
"As information is power, the people will now be empowered," he said.
Canadian High Commissioner Robert McDougall, Danish Ambassador Einer H Jensen and Unesco Representative Malama Meleisea also spoke at the first session of the daylong meeting.
Availability of information will stop abuse or misuse of power. It will strengthen the democratic system. The RTI law should be implemented not only in the government organisations but also in all private and non-government organisations, they said.