United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has slipped in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, scoring 24 out of 100 and ranking 13th from the bottom worldwide, showing a decline from last year. Although the country’s score increased by one point its position weakened in both global and regional rankings. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), shared these findings at a press conference held on Tuesday morning to announce the index. In 2024, Bangladesh ranked 151st scoring 23. The CPI scores countries on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the highest level of corruption and 100 representing the highest level of governance. According to the latest index, Bangladesh has the second-lowest score in South Asia, ahead of only Afghanistan which scored 16. From 2012 to 2022, Bangladesh’s CPI score ranged between 25 and 28. However, it dropped to 24 in 2023 and further declined to 23 in 2024, falling three points below the 13-year average. Money, religion, muscle power still dominate elections: TIB  Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that the one point increase in Bangladesh’s score this year appears to reflect positive perceptions regarding the immediate prospects for democratic transition and accountable governance following the July uprising. "The subsequent realities of the state reform process were not reflected in the index as the relevant data sources covered earlier periods. As a result, the lack of tangible progress in state reforms meant that Bangladesh’s score and ranking did not witness any significant positive change in real terms," he also said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday said that no government can guarantee there will be no attempts at violence, particularly when influential actors are actively calling for disruption. "But the conditions today are not the same as before. Security forces are under close scrutiny, political parties and civil society are cooperating, and international observers are on the ground," he said in response to TIB's report on election related killings. Together, Alam said, these conditions give real reason to believe that this election can finally end the cycle of fear and violence that defined previous elections. Transparency International Bangladesh says that 15 political leaders and activists were killed in the 36 days following the announcement of the election schedule. "That number has quickly taken on a life of its own. But it deserves scrutiny, not blind repetition," Alam said. Police records show that only five killings during this period can be directly linked to political profile or activity, he said. One of them was the cold-blooded murder of Osman Hadi, shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle, Alam said. "Every killing is condemnable. Osman Hadi’s murder was particularly brutal, aimed not only at silencing a young political leader but at provoking fear and instability at a sensitive political moment. That objective failed," the Press Secretary said. Prof Yunus happy over polls preparations, says next ‘week very crucial’ The country did not spiral into retaliatory violence, and the election process has not been derailed, he said. "What is missing from TIB’s presentation is context. Political violence around elections is not new in Bangladesh. In the sham elections of 2024, six people were killed," Alam said. He went on to say, "In the night-time elections of 2018, 22 people lost their lives. In the officially rigged 2014 polls, political violence claimed at least 115 lives." Measured against this history, the suggestion that the current pre-election period reflects an alarming breakdown in security is difficult to sustain, Alam said. He said the difference between TIB’s figures and the official data is not a cover-up. "It is a disagreement over how deaths are classified. TIB appears to count every killing of a person affiliated with a political party as election-related, regardless of whether there is evidence that the killing was politically motivated." Alam said the government, by contrast, counts only deaths with direct and provable links to electoral activity. "Treating these approaches as equivalent distorts public understanding and inflates perceptions of insecurity." "Let’s be clear: public security is not in perfect shape. Years of politicised policing and abuse under the Hasina government destroyed public trust, which is why people from all walks of life demanded an interim, non-partisan government," Alam said. Since taking office, he said, the interim government has removed or suspended officials credibly accused of abuses, reviewed the role of specialised units, initiated criminal proceedings in cases of enforced disappearance and torture, and issued clear rules governing the policing of assemblies and the electoral period.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Monday said a total of 663 cases, including 453 of murder, have been filed against ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising. The findings were revealed in a research report unveiled at TIB’s Dhanmondi office, outlining the progress, challenges and limitations of cases filed in connection with the uprising. As of November 19, 2025, a total of 1,785 cases have been filed nationwide over crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising, according to the report. Sheikh Hasina has been named as an accused in 663 of those cases. Of the total cases, 736 are of murders, with Hasina listed as an accused in 453. ICT issues arrest warrants against Hasina, 5 others TIB said charge sheets have been submitted in only 106 cases, including 31 murder cases, reflecting slow progress in investigations. So far, 128 former ministers and members of parliament from the Awami League government have been arrested in connection with the cases. The report revealed that 761 cases have been filed against the police over the same incidents, naming 1,168 serving and former police personnel as accused. Among them, 61 have been arrested. At the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), 450 complaints have been lodged so far, of which 45 have been taken into cognisance. These cases involve 209 accused, with 84 arrests made. Currently, 12 cases are under trial at the ICT, involving 105 accused persons. TIB said many of the accused have fled the country, with allegations that members of the military, law enforcement agencies and local political leaders directly or indirectly facilitated their escape. TIB expressed serious concern over what it described as indiscriminate filing of cases following the uprising. The report estimated that around 150,000 people across the country have been made accused in these cases. The watchdog cited widespread allegations of case trading, retaliatory filings, political harassment and extortion through threats of inclusion or exclusion from cases. In many instances, law enforcement agencies reportedly accepted cases without proper investigation due to pressure, the report said. TIB also raised concerns over the competence and political affiliations of judges and prosecutors appointed to the ICT. While acknowledging that trials have begun and some progress has been made, the organisation warned that weak case foundations, lack of incident-specific charges, investigative complexity and the absence of a clear factual narrative are undermining the judicial process. The report further pointed to the absence of effective accountability for police actions beyond limited departmental measures, along with continued practices of unlawful arrests, excessive remand, denial of bail, prolonged pre-trial detention, and political influence in legal proceedings. TIB also noted cases where journalists and professionals were named as accused in murder cases, raising serious questions about misuse of the justice system. Although the live broadcast of verdicts was cited as a positive step, TIB cautioned that failure to fully adhere to due process and legal standards could jeopardise fair justice and risk allowing actual perpetrators to escape accountability.  

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Saturday described the draft National Media Commission and Broadcasting Commission Ordinances as a ‘parting mockery’ of public expectations for free media development. The TIB said the demand for a unified, independent and effective media commission to ensure the development of free media and independent broadcasting in Bangladesh has existed for a long time, a demand that was also reflected in the report of the Media Reform Commission. It, however, said the interim government remained entirely indifferent to implementing its recommendations despite more than ten months having passed since the submission of that report. Instead, at the very final stage of its tenure, the interim government has published two draft ordinances - titled the ‘National Media Commission Ordinance and the Broadcasting Commission Ordinance’ - aimed at establishing two new government bodies. The TIB expressed deep disappointment and frustration over this move, noting that TIB believes that the preparation of these two drafts - contrary to public expectations and the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, with the apparent objective of imposing greater control over the media sector - and seeking public opinions within only three days, constitutes a parting mockery by the interim government. At the same time, TIB identifies this move as yet another example of the interim government’s continuous practice of secrecy across nearly all areas from the outset, as well as the reform-opposing, obstructive actions carried out by certain sections of the government under the guise of state reform. In a statement, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “In both cases, the proposed structure and status of the commissions, the rank and authority of the commissioners, and the administrative and financial arrangements are designed to establish two institutions that are entirely under government control, particularly under bureaucratic authority. This represents a mockery of the interim government’s commitment to the development of free media and independent broadcasting.” While this is disappointing, he said, they are not at all surprised, as during the tenure of the interim government its failure to curb state and non-state control over the media, acts of violence, and attempts to impose authority, and in many cases its direct and indirect role as an instigator, have been evident. At the final stage of its tenure, Zaman said, these two proposed drafts reflect the same adversarial stance by the government toward expectations of media freedom. Referring to the numerous limitations of the existing Press Council and the absence of any comparable institutional framework for the broadcast media, Dr Zaman noted that the Media Reform Commission, based on research and consultations with relevant stakeholders, recommended the establishment of a unified, independent Media Commission free from government control. However, he said, the government has shown not the slightest consideration for this recommendation. Instead of pursuing the short-sighted initiative of establishing two new regulatory government bodies for the interrelated media and broadcasting sectors, Dr Zaman proposed the formation of a single, unified, and independent media commission operating outside government authority. TIB called on the government not to hastily promulgate the two draft ordinances. At the same time, the Executive Director of TIB has urged and expressed expectations toward the political parties participating in the upcoming election, many of whom have themselves been victims of control over free media and independent broadcasting in Bangladesh and have made strong commitments in their respective election manifestos and campaigns, that, following the formation of the new parliament, they will immediately proceed through a participatory process. Respecting their own experiences, commitments and public expectations, they should establish a genuinely independent and impartial unified media commission, TIB said. Such a commission would be capable of ensuring the highest professional standards and creating an enabling environment for the development of free media and independent broadcasting in the country, he said.

While acknowledging the rationale behind the initiative to increase the salaries and allowances of government employees, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for an assessment of the economic capacity to bear such an additional burden. The organization also stressed the need for public administration reforms to ensure accountability, professional excellence, and easy access to services for all citizens, who will indirectly fund these expenses. TIB demanded transparency and accountability to curb public sector corruption and irregularities, warning that failing to do so would turn the new pay scale into an infallible tool for raising bribery premiums. 2 candidates hid British citizenship in affidavits: TIB In a statement on Sunday, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “The proposed salary hike for government employees will have a direct impact on citizens already burdened by economic crises. No strategy has been formulated to generate the massive funds required for realizing the proposal that would provide any corresponding facilities or financial relief for the public. Moreover, a conducive environment to sustain such state expenditure has not been established. Above all, has the government considered that increasing salaries and allowances will directly lead to a higher cost of living for the general public, as all sectors, including commodity prices, will experience increased expenditure? Whatever the government's plan may be, what is it? How will it be handled? The government must clarify.” Dr. Zaman said that even though taxpayer money pays government employees, it seems like many people think they have the right to bribe, corrupt, and commit illegal acts. He said, "Evidence suggests that raising salaries in the public sector does not reduce corruption." Instead, the public ultimately bears the burden, as illegal activities like bribery typically grow faster than the pay increase itself. There is no reason to believe it will be different this time. Allowing public servants to persist with a lack of service-oriented mindset, unaccountable behavior, and unbridled corruption while meeting their demands for salary hikes for narrow interests is equivalent to mocking the general public.” The TIB Executive Director also remarked that even if the government finds a reliable way to increase salaries without imposing an additional financial burden on the public, the hike cannot be viewed in isolation. TIB finds Tk 2,926 crore irregularities in six renewable power projects He said, “If the proposal is considered subject to making all transparency and accountability mechanisms, relevant laws, and regulations mandatory in the public sector, the public might accept it, at least on a trial basis. A primary prerequisite for such an increase must be the annual updating and public disclosure of income, expenditure, and asset statements for all employees at all levels. The new pay scale should only apply to those who disclose their annual asset statements; it must not be effective for those who do not. We urge the government to be stringent in this regard.”

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said at least two candidates contesting the 13th parliamentary election concealed their dual citizenship in their submitted affidavits. Both the candidates are British citizens but their affidavits made no mention of this, said Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, at a press conference held at the organisation’s office in the capital on Thursday. He said the irregularities were identified after analysing the affidavits they submitted, he said. Iftekharuzzaman said 21 candidates declared in their affidavits that they held foreign citizenship but later renounced it to become eligible to contest the election. Nat’l Human Rights Commission Ordinance hostage to bureaucratic capture: TIB “However, based on the information we have, at least two candidates did not disclose their dual citizenship in their affidavits. The data indicate that they are British citizens,” he said. As per law, candidates with dual citizenship must declare it in their affidavits and provide proof of renunciation of foreign nationality, he said. For policy reasons, they have not revealed the names of the two candidates, he said. “We have the relevant documents and the matter will be reported to the authorities concerned,” Dr. Iftekharuzzaman added. At the press conference, TIB also highlighted multiple discrepancies related to undeclared overseas assets. One candidate reportedly purchased a property worth nearly £1.4 million (about Tk 2.10 billion) in the UK in 2013 under the name of a declared dependent, which was not mentioned in the affidavit. Credible information suggests the property was bought through a shell company registered in Dubai, UAE. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said another candidate did not disclose any personal foreign assets but a flat in Dubai is registered under his spouse’s name. Another candidate declared ownership of three overseas flats in the affidavit but in reality, the number is at least three times higher with an estimated investment of Tk 350 million. TIB’s analysis further revealed that one candidate failed to declare ownership of any foreign business though he is associated with at least 11 foreign companies, eight of which are currently operational. Besides, one candidate’s company registration in a tax haven has long been publicly available, yet there was no mention of it in the affidavit, he said. The organisation has called on the Election Commission and relevant authorities to take swift and effective action.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Wednesday reported irregularities amounting to Tk 2,926.88 crore in six government and IPP-based solar power projects implemented between October 2010 and October 2025. The findings were disclosed at a press conference held at the MIDAS Centre in Dhanmondi, where TIB unveiled its research report titled ‘Electricity Generation from Renewable Energy in Bangladesh: Governance Challenges and Ways Forward’. The six solar power projects recorded an average cost of Tk 13.08 crore per megawatt—against the standard Tk 8 crore, resulting in excess expenditure of Tk 2,926.88 crore, according to the study. The research report was jointly presented by TIB’s Energy Governance Coordinator Newazul Mowla and Assistant Coordinator Ashna Islam. They said the projects involved not only inflated costs but also irregularities in land acquisition. Agricultural land was reportedly shown as non-agricultural, and land prices were exaggerated. Besides, the per-unit electricity cost quoted for these projects was several times higher than comparable costs in neighbouring countries such as India, China and Pakistan. The report pointed to a lack of transparency in procurement and tendering processes in the renewable energy sector, along with multiple irregularities in price determination. These factors, it said, have directly influenced electricity tariffs and significantly increased overall project costs. TIB also highlighted Bangladesh’s heavy dependence on foreign technology in renewable energy development. Insufficient government investment, bureaucratic complexities, and the deliberate weakening of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) were identified as major obstacles to sectoral growth. Overall, renewable energy continues to receive far lower policy priority than fossil fuels, despite existing policy and legal provisions, which themselves remain weak and inadequate. Bangladesh’s installed power generation capacity currently stands at 28,616 megawatts, of which only 1,314 megawatts come from renewable sources. Between 2010 and 2023, nearly USD 30 billion (about Tk 3.3 lakh crore) in foreign investment flowed into the country’s power sector, but 96.7 percent went to fossil fuel-based projects, while only 3.3 percent was allocated to renewable energy. If this trend continues, achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 will be at serious risk, the report warned. The study found that energy policies and plans have failed to give renewable energy adequate priority. Inconsistencies, discrepancies and lack of coordination in renewable energy targets pose major challenges to achieving time-bound goals. It said ambitious electricity demand targets were set in the Power System Master Plan without sufficient analysis of ground realities, capacities and existing frameworks. At the same time, renewable energy targets were not aligned with national and international commitments and pledges, creating a significant policy mismatch. The research also flagged risks of undue influence on government policymaking and planning due to investment-related interests of development partners. Bangladesh’s energy sector remains heavily shaped by fossil fuel-centric policies, resulting in excessive subsidies and capacity payments that waste state resources. In contrast, inadequate incentives for renewable energy and privatisation policies risk allowing the sector to be dominated by corporate interests. Speaking at the event, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said renewable energy has never received due policy priority in Bangladesh, significantly reducing the likelihood of achieving the country’s renewable energy targets by 2050. “Bangladesh currently depends on fossil fuels for around 95 percent of its energy, while reliance on renewable energy is just over 4 percent. This clearly shows that the renewable energy sector has been consistently neglected,” he said. He said there are widespread inconsistencies and ambiguities in energy policies, strategies and planning. The power sector’s master plan is largely based on fossil fuels, leaving renewable energy sidelined. Dr Iftekharuzzaman also criticised the emphasis on so-called ‘clean energy’ as a way of projecting a transition, calling it untested and misleading. To ensure transparency and accountability in the renewable energy sector, TIB recommended the formation of an independent oversight and regulatory commission comprising experts and representatives from civil society.  

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday (December 09, 2025) said his party is ready to lead a fresh strong and comprehensive drive against corruption if voted to power as graft has become deeply rooted in Bangladesh and continues to disrupt the daily lives of millions of people. “Fighting corruption will be an uphill battle after years of systemic abuse. But Bangladesh’s own history proves progress is possible. With commitment, discipline, and public support, meaningful reform can return. If entrusted by the people, BNP is prepared to lead that charge, once again,” he said in a post on his verified Facebook page, marking International Anti-Corruption Day. Tarique said corruption now affects every part of life--from graduates seeking jobs on merit, to farmers waiting for services, young families struggling for healthcare and education, and entrepreneurs paying extra just to keep their businesses running. Read more: Tarique warns BNP of ‘something terrible’ if unity falters “From food prices to school quality to road safety, corruption cripple’s daily life for millions,” he wrote. The BNP leader mentioned that early governance reforms under President Ziaur Rahman prioritised administrative discipline, clean public service and economic liberalisation that reduced bottlenecks and discretionary power. Later, he said the administrations of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia modernised institutions through procurement rules, financial administration laws, strengthened audits, and clearer oversight mechanisms. Tarique pointed to the formation of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2004 as a “major milestone”, replacing the Bureau of Anti-Corruption and enabling independent investigation and prosecution in line with global standards “Development partners such as the World Bank and ADB recognised this as a significant step toward accountability.” Read more: Tarique slams Jamaat for ‘propaganda’ against BNP echoing Awami League “Despite reservations about Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) methodology at the time, even they reported improved CPI performance: Bangladesh’s score rose from 1.2 in 2002 to 1.7 in 2005. Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer (2003) found that 66% of citizens felt corruption had decreased. These gains reflected reforms that strengthened clarity, reduced discretion, and expanded oversight,” he observed. Tarique said BNP takes pride in reforms made in those years, including stronger financial governance, improved treasury systems, tighter budgets, better audits, and early anti-money-laundering and banking regulations, competitive procurement rules, expansion of media and telecom sectors, and early digitisation and decentralisation efforts that reduced bureaucratic discretion. “The record speaks for itself: BNP is the only party so far to make sustained progress in reducing corruption,” he claimed. Outlining the party’s future agenda, he said BNP plans to ensure complete institutional independence for the judiciary, ACC, election bodies, public service and law enforcement, introduce open procurement and real-time audits, modernise policing, prosecution and case management, expand e-governance, protect whistleblowers, strengthen ethics and civic education, and closely monitor public spending through independent audits and stronger parliamentary oversight. Read more: ‘Religion card’ no longer fooling citizens, says Salahuddin

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep disappointment and indignation over the Advisory Council’s final approval of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Ordinance ‘ignoring strategically important recommendations.’ The recommendations were essential for ensuring transparency, accountability and institutional independence of the anti-graft body, it said in a statement on Friday (November 28). The exclusion of “Selection and Review Committee” from the final ordinance despite  being included in the July Charter is not only disappointing, but also indicates that like almost all other cases of reform proposals the state reform agenda has become hostage to the conspiracies of anti-reform circles within the government, it added. TIB also questions whether by denying the provision to make ACC accountable as much as independent, the Chief Adviser, as the head of the consensus commission and the groundbreaking decision-maker to form the 11 reform commissions, is trying to send a message to all including political parties, that ‘state reforms are just a rhetoric for the Government.’ Read more: ACC’s year of mixed outcomes: 249 cases closed, yet acquittals dominate Noting that the ACC Reform Commission had recommended the formation of a “Selection and Review Committee” considering the experience of the past two decades, the opinions of all stakeholders, international best practices, and the political and bureaucratic context of Bangladesh in order to ensure that the ACC does not continue to function as a tool of protection of  those in power and harass political or other opponents, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said. “This proposal was made to overcome the dire situation of ACC as the institution has been suffering from a lack of public trust since its inception, as a puppet of vested quarters, it has become a tool of protection for those in power and harassment of opponents,” he said. It is regrettable that the government has failed to understand the strategic value of this recommendation to transform the ACC into a truly accountable, independent, and impartial institution through half-yearly reviews, public hearings, and recommendations by the proposed committee, he said. ACC’s year of mixed outcomes: 249 cases closed, yet acquittals dominate “For a government responsible for state reforms, this is a self-contradictory and anti-reform precedent,” he added. Dr. Zaman further said the matter is even more disappointing because according to reliable sources, at least seven Advisors have opposed this proposal at the Cabinet meeting. “Yet they know that all the political parties that signed the July Charter have fully agreed on this provision. Before creating such a bad precedent of violating the July Charter, why the government does not realise that through this the Government is by itself actually encouraging political parties to violate the July Charter? Why then unprecedented bloodletting sacrifices were made? What kind of state reform is it that blocks the way to effectively curb corruption?” he questioned. The draft of the ordinance that TIB had the opportunity to review seemed to be in some ways of a higher standard than the existing law for which the organization commends the government, it said. TIB calls for full disclosure of agreements with foreign cos on Laldia, Pangaon terminals However, the TIB Executive Director has expressed deep disappointment and regret as according to reliable sources, in addition to the mentioned issue several other important strategic recommendations on which political consensus was achieved have been omitted. “This can be nothing but a corruption-enabling  and anti-reform stance of vested interests and influential quarters within the government,” he added.

The interim government on Friday reacted to the statement issued by the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), noting that it is "deeply disappointing" that it issued a public statement based on unverified social media posts, rather than verified facts. "Contrary to TIB’s recent statement — which unfortunately relies on inaccurate information — the Bangladesh delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is not only significantly smaller than those of the Hasina era, but also far more focused, industrious, and results-driven," said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam in a statement. TIB is a respected civil society organisation and a long-standing advocate for transparency, he said. The delegation's purpose is to represent the interests of Bangladesh and its people at the world’s most significant diplomatic gathering, where key global decisions are shaped. Over the past five days alone, members of the delegation have held at least a dozen high-level meetings, including bilateral engagements with more than six heads of state or government, Press Secretary Alam said. TIB has inaccurately claimed that the delegation exceeds 100 members. The actual number is 62 — only marginally higher than last year's 57, said the Press Secretary. "It is worth noting that last year’s figure did not account for six eminent politicians who traveled at the invitation of the Chief Adviser." Roughly a third of this year’s delegation comprises security personnel, who are essential to ensuring the safety of senior officials, including Professor Muhammad Yunus, amid credible threats from Awami League supporters, Alam said. Key issues Prof Yunus may raise in UNGA speech tonight Despite these measures, he said, the current team has been stretched, with many security officers working extended 16-hour shifts to provide adequate protection. The government acknowledges that questions may arise regarding the size of the delegation. However, Alam said, this year’s UNGA holds exceptional significance for Bangladesh. "At a time when various actors are engaged in deliberate efforts to destabilise the country — including a concerted campaign to misrepresent the July uprising — strong and proactive international engagement is not just strategic, but necessary." The press secretary said it is well documented that the Awami League and its allies are spending millions to fund a flood of misinformation about the Interim government and the July uprising -- and to lobby against Bangladesh's democratic transition, often with the tacit support of certain international quarters. This year’s delegation includes several individuals who will represent Bangladesh at the upcoming Rohingya Conference on September 30 — underscoring Dhaka’s continued leadership on one of the region’s most urgent humanitarian and security issues, he said. In addition, several advisers — though not part of the formal UNGA delegation — have travelled separately to engage with their global counterparts on matters of mutual concern, Alam said. Labour reforms crucial in attracting large-scale FDI to Bangladesh: Prof Yunus  Leaders of Bangladesh’s most popular political parties were also invited to participate, and a number of officials were assigned to support them, he said. 'This inclusive approach sends a clear and unequivocal message: Bangladesh is firmly committed to a peaceful, democratic transition," Alam said.