Right to Information (RTI)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Government starts to nurture the fledgling RTI regime

In recent weeks, two important government ministers—Law Minister Mr Anisul Huq, and Information Minister Mr Hasan Mahmud—have given vocal support to a fuller implementation of our national Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The right to ask for information and the obligation to provide it

Arunendu works for the Rangamati Hill District Council in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. He is known for his dedication and commitment to public service.

Right to Information - Is it catching on in Bangladesh?

NGO experience shows that many RTI applications from marginalised communities do not get recorded as those who obtain benefits by simply using the law do not care about receiving a formal response. Officials concerned also do not wish to record applications and may even avoid reporting them to concerned offices, as they often resort to irregular practices to dispose them off.

POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE / Digital Bangladesh - Right to information and climate finance

Unfortunately, so far, our performance on both transparency as well as accountability has not been very good. Fortunately, there is still time to improve this before the major climate change funds begin to flow.

Right to Information / Welcoming the new CIC

Unfortunately, citizens are yet to rise to the occasion and play a meaningful role to take the law forward. Demands for information are yet to pour into government offices in large numbers to test the system.

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.

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.

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.

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.

March 15, 2019
March 15, 2019

Government starts to nurture the fledgling RTI regime

In recent weeks, two important government ministers—Law Minister Mr Anisul Huq, and Information Minister Mr Hasan Mahmud—have given vocal support to a fuller implementation of our national Right to Information (RTI) Act.

September 16, 2016
September 16, 2016

The right to ask for information and the obligation to provide it

Arunendu works for the Rangamati Hill District Council in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. He is known for his dedication and commitment to public service.

April 13, 2016
April 13, 2016

Right to Information - Is it catching on in Bangladesh?

NGO experience shows that many RTI applications from marginalised communities do not get recorded as those who obtain benefits by simply using the law do not care about receiving a formal response. Officials concerned also do not wish to record applications and may even avoid reporting them to concerned offices, as they often resort to irregular practices to dispose them off.

March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016

Digital Bangladesh - Right to information and climate finance

Unfortunately, so far, our performance on both transparency as well as accountability has not been very good. Fortunately, there is still time to improve this before the major climate change funds begin to flow.

February 15, 2016
February 15, 2016

Welcoming the new CIC

Unfortunately, citizens are yet to rise to the occasion and play a meaningful role to take the law forward. Demands for information are yet to pour into government offices in large numbers to test the system.

November 16, 2015
November 16, 2015

Changing Contours of RTI, Part II

It would be unfair to compare the Bangladesh situation with the Indian experience (refer to Part I of this column published yesterday).

push notification