Aggressive response to journalists a threat to media freedom and people’s right to know, says TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has questioned the constitutional validity of appointing a dual citizen as state minister for foreign affairs under the technocrat quota.

In a statement on Monday, the organisation said accepting the post without clarifying his citizenship status has only intensified the controversy surrounding his appointment.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “The appointment of a dual citizen as state minister for foreign affairs under the technocrat quota is unconstitutional.

“According to article 56(2) of the constitution, when a person who is not a member of parliament is appointed as a minister or state minister, that person must be eligible for election as a member of parliament.

“On the other hand, under Article 66(2)(c), a person who acquires citizenship of a foreign state or acknowledges allegiance to such a state is disqualified from being elected as a member of parliament,” the statement said.

“Simultaneously, the requirement regarding renunciation of foreign citizenship in cases of dual citizenship is explicitly addressed by Article 66(2A). Therefore, his appointment under the technocrat quota while retaining dual citizenship is in conflict with the Constitution.”

TIB also criticised the state minister for responding to journalists’ questions about his citizenship with counter-questions such as “Who is reporting the news?” and “Why are you so bothered about it?”

Iftekharuzzaman said such responses reflect the “shoot the messenger” practice of the ousted authoritarian regime, rather than addressing the central issue of whether the minister retained foreign citizenship when he assumed office.

He said, “When someone in a responsible state position is questioned about a matter of public interest, it is expected that he will give a straightforward, factual answer.

“By answering the relevant constitutional and legal questions and disclosing the necessary evidence, the state minister for foreign affairs could instead have set an example of transparency and accountability.

TIB says hostility towards journalists over legitimate public-interest questions could undermine independent journalism, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to know, while encouraging self-censorship.

The organisation called on the government to immediately disclose verifiable information on the state minister’s citizenship status and determine whether his appointment complies with the Constitution.

It also urged the government to publish documentary evidence of the citizenship status of other ministers or equivalent officials if similar questions arise.