TIB worried over lack of accountability in the country amid Covid-19

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said many incidents for which no one is held accountable are taking place in the country amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. TIB demanded these be put to a stop for the sake of establishing the rule of law and eradicating corruption. 

The organisation also said the devastating fire that broke out at a private hospital was due to negligence. Additionally, suspects accused of shooting private bank officials – to avail loans illegally – fled the country by an air ambulance with the help of the authorities concerned, which is a commercial crime, said a press release sent by the watchdog on Saturday.

Besides the two much-talked-about incidents, TIB also said the government is patronising unethical businesses in the country as it is planning to allow people to turn their black money legal during the upcoming national budget.
 
The organisation demanded the implementation of Prime Minister's "zero-tolerance against corruption" policy and to ensure accountability in business for the greater national interest. 

TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said there are gross allegations against United Hospital authorities including that flammable materials were used in its construction and expired fire extinguishers were on hand. Moreover, the hospital said all the deceased were on life support, which was denied by the family of the deceased.

"This type of misleading behaviour from the owners is not at all accepted. We hope the probe committee will investigate and submit the report without being affected by anyone. The government should ensure the families of the deceased get compensation," he added.

"We want to believe these types of private hospitals are operating from a humanitarian perspective besides making profits. However, only signboard-based service is not accepted as many patients will die because of negligence," he said. 

Iftekharuzzaman said, "The base of establishing the rule of law is the visible implementation of the law, but the suspects accused of shooting two bank officials fled the country by an air ambulance pretending to be patients, with direct and indirect help from the authorities concerned." 

"Shuffling excuses like 'There was no ban on their movement' is unacceptable," he added. 
 
"Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, when air communication has almost stopped around the globe, they were sent abroad by preparing all required procedures with unprecedented hurry. And, now one department of the government is blaming the other, which further reveals their involvement," he added.

Taking illegal commercial benefits, influential people have almost ruined the banking sector. Like previous incidents, if the government exempts them from their crimes that will be sheer disobedience of the prime minister's zero-tolerance. 

"If we consider the overall situation of the country, it seems the position of the prime minister's declaration is confined to speech only," he said.  

"After declaring a war against crime, allowing black money to be legal is not only contradictory but also unethical, unconstitutional and discriminatory. We want to believe that Bangladesh has not yet been taken hostage by some selfish people," he added.