Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has termed an alleged involvement of a lawmaker in human trafficking and money laundering a disrespectful example of mischief in Bangladesh’s politics and public representation.
To this effect, TIB, in a statement on Tuesday, called on the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Jatiya Sangsad(national parliament) to launch immediate investigation and take an effective action to protect the dignity of the parliament.
Citing various reports published in the media both in Kuwait and Bangladesh since the beginning of this year, TIB said that from the very beginning, the government, the parliament, the ACC, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the revenue authorities and the concerned law enforcement agencies have not taken any serious move to the allegations.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said “Following a report published in the Kuwaiti media on the serious allegations of human trafficking, the ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait gave a written report that the allegations were baseless after the so-called investigation, which was also published in the media”.
And the government and the concerned authorities including the ACC have felt comfortable in that, he was quoted as saying in the statement.
“The parliament has so far taken no initiative to this end. Even after the recent news of the arrest of the parliamentarian on specific charges and the confiscation of his assets, a responsible minister reiterated more than once saying that they have nothing to do unless the Kuwaiti government officially informs them”, Mr Zaman said.
Where the country’s reputation and the future of the employment of thousands of migrant workers are at stake, such indifference on the part of the government is both a matter of shame and a concern, he stated.
