TIB calls State Minister's response on citizenship question an 'authoritarian practice'

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has described the State Minister for Foreign Affairs' expression of anger and counter-questioning after failing to directly answer a journalist's question about his dual citizenship as a "practice of the fallen authoritarian era." The organisation has also expressed condemnation and concern over the incident.

In a press release sent to the media on Tuesday, TIB said the State Minister's reaction to journalists seeking information on a matter of public interest is an example of the "shoot the messenger" tendency. The organisation also termed it a threat to a free press, independent journalism, freedom of speech and the public's right to information .

TIB claimed that questions remain over whether appointing someone with dual citizenship as State Minister for Foreign Affairs under the technocrat quota is constitutional. The organisation believes accepting the position without clearly explaining one's position on the matter is also questionable.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said reliable sources have published information that the State Minister for Foreign Affairs holds foreign citizenship and is involved in active politics of the country concerned. According to Article 56(2) of the Constitution, a person appointed as a minister or state minister without being a Member of Parliament must be qualified to be an MP .

He said that according to Article 66(2)(c) of the Constitution, a person who has acquired the citizenship of a foreign state or has pledged allegiance to such a state is disqualified from being elected an MP . Additionally, Article 66(2A) also mentions the matter of renouncing foreign citizenship in the case of dual citizenship.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said a clear answer is needed to the question of whether the technocrat quota appointment while retaining dual citizenship conflicts with the Constitution. But when journalists asked questions to know the relevant information, the State Minister did not give a direct answer but instead asked counter-questions such as 'who is making the news' and 'why do they care so much'. TIB sees this as a reflection of the 'shoot the messenger' practice.

The TIB Executive Director said after the bloody July uprising, expectations of accountable good governance had emerged. In this context, those in state positions should give fact-based and direct answers on matters of public interest. The State Minister could have set an example of transparency and accountability by publishing the necessary evidence.

He further said such reactions of anger and hostility towards the media reporting on dual citizenship and journalists raising questions are not befitting of a State Minister. Such behaviour can put undue pressure on journalists and pose a threat to independent journalism.

TIB said in such a situation, there is a risk of a 'chilling effect' developing among journalists. Ultimately, it is the public's right to information that suffers. The controversy surrounding such an important state position as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs could also create an embarrassing situation for Bangladesh internationally.

The organisation has called upon the government to immediately publish authentic information on the actual status of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs' dual citizenship and to take appropriate decisions regarding the constitutional validity of his appointment.

TIB also urged the government to disclose positions and authentic information in the interest of transparency and constitutional accountability if there are questions regarding the dual citizenship of any other minister, state minister or persons of equivalent rank in government .