Politicians poke nose to spoil governance

Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badruddin Ahmed Kamran (second from right) speaking at the day-long workshop on Local Initiative in Ensuring Rule of Law, held in the city on Saturday. It was organised by the Society of Justice. PHOTO: STAR

The Constitution has guaranteed all basic human rights, needed for ensuring rule of law.

But corruption in the administration and unwanted influence of political leaders and powerful quarters stand on the way of rule of law, speakers said at a day-long workshop held in the city on Saturday.

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Besides, lack of awareness among people about their basic rights is also a major factor. Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran attended the function as chief guest while Sylhet District Bar Association President AKM Shibly, its former president Abdul Hai Khan, Sylhet Press Club President Muktabis Un Noor and Nasrin Khan, Legal Advisor to UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, were special guests.

The Society of Justice, a newly formed organisation, organised the workshop with its Executive Councilor Dr AKM Saifullah in the chair.

It was participated by representatives from different organisations. Those who took part in the programme included Special Public Prosecutor of Special Tribunal for Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Shah Ashraful Islam, Sylhet City Corporation Ward Commissioner Azizul Haque Manik, BLAST's Sylhet Regional Coordi-nator Advocate Irfanuzzaman Chowdhury, President of Metropo-litan Business Council Faruque Mahmud Chowdhury, Former President of Sylhet Press Club Iqbal siddiquee and Secretary General of 'Society of Justice' Advocate Mahbubul Islam.

The Mayor said, local governments are important bodies for ensuring good governance.

Elected representatives should be legally empowered for dispute resolution to enforce rule of law, he added.

The civil society also has a very important role play in this regard, he said.

Other speakers stressed the need for a strong and independent judiciary as well as a free anti-corrup-tion commission in the country.

Keeping the law enforcement agencies free from corruption and political influence can do half of the job, they said.