TIB condemns ‘shoot messenger’ practice over state minister’s reaction
The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has condemned what it described as a “shoot the messenger” practice after journalists questioned State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir over his alleged dual citizenship.
TIB said the appointment of a dual citizen as state minister for foreign affairs under the technocrat quota is unconstitutional. It also said the minister’s decision to assume office without transparently clarifying his position on the issue is questionable.
In a statement on Tuesday (25 August), the anti-corruption watchdog expressed concern and urged the minister to refrain from attempts that undermine press freedom, independent journalism, freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.
TIB also called on the state minister to clearly explain his position on the central issue surrounding his appointment—his alleged dual citizenship.
Various reliable sources have reported that the state minister holds foreign citizenship and has been involved in active politics in the country concerned.
Referring to the issue, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “The appointment of a dual citizen as state minister for foreign affairs under the technocrat quota is unconstitutional.”
He said Article 56(2) of the Constitution stipulates that a person who is not a member of Parliament can be appointed as a minister or state minister only if they are eligible to be elected to Parliament.
On the other hand, Article 66(2)(c) states that a person who acquires citizenship of a foreign state or acknowledges allegiance to it is disqualified from being elected to Parliament. Article 66(2A) also clearly addresses the issue of renouncing foreign citizenship in cases involving dual citizenship.
“Therefore, his appointment under the technocrat quota while retaining dual citizenship conflicts with the Constitution,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
He added that by accepting the post without transparently stating his position on the matter, the state minister had put his own position under question.
However, when journalists asked specific questions in the public interest to establish the facts, the minister did not answer them directly. Instead, he reportedly responded with counter-questions such as, “Who is reporting this?” and “Why are you so bothered?”
“This is a reflection of the ‘shoot the messenger’ practice of the fallen authoritarian regime,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
“The issue is not who published the report or who raised the question. The main question is whether the state minister retained his foreign citizenship when he assumed office. It is his responsibility to directly answer such a clear constitutional and public-interest question,” he said.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said that after the political change brought about through the bloody July uprising, amid public expectations for accountable governance, the right to ask questions on such issues and the people’s right to information have become more important than ever.
He said the government, including its highest levels, has repeatedly pledged to ensure transparency, accountability and freedom of expression.
“It is expected that anyone holding a responsible state position will provide fact-based and direct answers to issues concerning the public interest,” he said.
The state minister could have set an example of transparency and accountability by answering the relevant constitutional and legal questions and publishing the necessary evidence, he added.
Instead, his anger and hostile counter-questioning directed at media outlets that reported on his dual citizenship and journalists who raised the issue were “inappropriate for a state minister,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
“Rather, such behaviour is unethical and concerning. It is also embarrassing for the government,” he said.
TIB said such reactions are contrary to press freedom, freedom of expression and independent journalism. An aggressive response from a person holding a responsible state position to legitimate questions of public interest not only creates undue and unwarranted pressure on journalists but also poses a threat to independent journalism.
It could create a tendency to make questioning those in power or holding state positions on uncomfortable issues increasingly risky, TIB said. This could also increase the risk of creating self-censorship or a “chilling effect” among journalists, ultimately undermining the public’s right to information.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the issue concerns a highly important state position such as that of state minister for foreign affairs. Therefore, its international implications and the risk of creating an unwanted and embarrassing controversy for Bangladesh cannot be ignored.
“In this situation, the government must immediately publish accurate and verifiable information about the actual status of the state minister’s dual citizenship and take an appropriate decision regarding the constitutional validity of his appointment,” he said.
Targeting the media for raising questions instead of answering constitutional and public-interest concerns amounts to undermining press freedom and the people’s right to information, he added.
TIB also urged the government to publicly disclose the positions and supporting evidence regarding the citizenship status of any other minister, state minister or person of equivalent responsibility if questions arise about their dual citizenship, in the interest of transparency and constitutional accountability.