U4 Helpdesk Query

U4 helpdesk reply

I. On Corruption Issues in Bangladesh (including reports on Anti-Corruption bureaus, agencies)

1. Fact-Finding Report on Bureau of Anti-Corruption, Prime Minister's Office, by Transparency International Bangladesh, 2001
Summary: This is an investigative report on the Bureau of Anti-Corruption at Prime Minister's office (a prime watchdog agency on the issues of corruption) which is implemented under the National Integrity Pact (NIP). TI Bangladesh intends to make people in all spheres aware of the performance of the Bureau. Their objective is as well to make the role of the Bureau more effective in restraining corruption by addressing problems and giving recommendations. A questionnaire for eliciting the views of the Public Prosecutors as well as a listing of important laws and rules that govern the combating mechanism of corruption in Bangladesh are to be found in the annexes.

2. Fighting Corruption: An Agenda for Action by Manzoor Hassan, Executive Director, TI Bangladesh, 2002
It is a good discussion paper brining out key issues and tabling them for action.

3. Fact-Finding Survey on Good Governance in Public Institutions, by Transparency International Bangladesh, 2002
Summary: The aim of this project was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of public institutions in Bangladesh using a Fact-Finding Exercise (FFE). A FFE is a research and diagnostic tool used to examine in detail the activities, performance and weaknesses of an institution or organisation. The problems addressed by the tool are lack of transparency and accountability of public institutions in Bangladesh. TI-Bangladesh collaborated with the Bangladeshi Anti-Corruption Bureau, which participated in the project. A report was published based on the findings of a round-table discussion held on 30 December 2001.

4. Falling between stools and treading on toes: Ombudsman + Human Rights Commission + Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, published by TI Bangladesh, 2002
Summary: In January 2002, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Bangladesh Moudud Ahmed announced that the government would set up an independent anti-corruption commission, as promised during the run-up to the general election. Additionally, a bill may be tabled in the next Parliamentary session to constitute a Human Rights Commission, and there is rumor of an Office of the Ombudsman in the offing, established in law by The Ombudsman Act 1980. The prospect of the establishment of such institutions as the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman raises the real danger that the IACC may be sidelined. The report discusses potential overlap and conflict of interest issues.

5. There is draft framework, structure and legislation for the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh.

6. The best point of contact for these and other issues is the Bangladesh Chapter of Transparency International. It can be reached at:
Progress Tower (5th and 6th Floors)
House No. 1, Road No. 23
Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Tel. & fax (+880-2) 988 4811, 882 6036
Email info@ti-bangladesh.org

II. Information on Anti-Corruption Agencies in general (lessons learned, prerequisites for success, etc.)

1. Anti-Corruption Agencies: Chapter of TI Source Book, by Jeremy Pope, 2000
Summary (from source:) As corrupt practices become ever more sophisticated, conventional law enforcement agencies are less well placed to detect and prosecute corruption cases. Specialised and independent anti-corruption agencies can present the advantage of being exclusively devoted to fighting corruption. The success of such agency depends on both the determination and integrity of its staff and the political will for it to succeed as displayed and fostered by country's leadership. Without proper resources, the guarantee of independence and inter-institutional support, the best-intended agency will fail to fulfil expectation. In a best case scenario, however, an ICAC can be an important part of a broader national plan of action.

2. There are 2 resources on the U4 website that can be consulted: the Anti-Corruption Agencies 2 pager brief under the corruption FAQs and the Selected literature on Anti-Corruption Commissions. The selected literature section includes papers discussing the prerequisites for effective anti-corruption bureaus, agencies, reasons for failures and lessons learned.

NOTE: ADDITIONAL E-DOCUMENTS WERE ATTACHED IN SUPPORT OF THIS HELPDESK REPLY (AVAILABLE TO INTERESTED PARTIES UPON REQUEST).