TIB welcomes Saarc pledge to ensure good governance

Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday welcomed Saarc leaders' pledge to ensure good governance for sustainable development by promoting accountability, transparency and the rule of law.

The TIB in a statement called upon the Bangladesh government to take specific steps to genuinely promote accountable and transparent governance. It hoped the other Saarc governments will also follow up on this commitment.

The pledge forms part of the Kathmandu Declaration issued at the end of the 18th Saarc Summit on November 26-27. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) is a platform of eight South Asian countries.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “People of South Asia in general and Bangladesh in particular are desperate to see that the direct and indirect beneficiaries of deficits in governance, transparency, accountability and rule of law can no longer constitute the power-base of the government. Our political leaders must ensure that the governance and policy structures are not captured by those who benefit from corruption.”

He expressed surprise that the South Asian leaders have shied away from raising their voice against corruption. “This denial syndrome reflects a deficit of moral authority,” he added.

Iftekharuzzaman called on the South Asian governments to have the courage and capacity to control corruption and criminalise corrupt practices without fear or favour.