Bangladesh Supreme Court senior lawyer and human rights activist Z I Khan Panna has called for a white paper and accountability measures against the interim government led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, alleging irregularities in policy decisions and procurement.
Speaking to the Daily Observer, he said, "I am demanding a White Paper plus punishment. What is this white paper for For their misdeeds. For example, they will buy the measles vaccine from outside, which other children are supposed to get from UNICEF."
He questioned the accountability framework of the administration and said, "They cannot do anything for themselves or do anything profitable, even if it is a taka of profit, sitting on that chair, they cannot do that," he said.
However, he emphasised that such a process must be institutionally credible. "There must be a system. The judicial committee or the high power committee will do that. That too should be such that people believe in them," he said.
"We are seeing many committees but the reports are not published or made public," the legal expert expressed his doubt.
Referring to policy decisions and international agreements, he alleged, "They have made many ordinances for their own interests, then that trade deal with the US. Every Bangladeshi knows it was a one sided agreement. One-sided agreements are not valid under any law. Both sides must have interest," he said. "And those responsible for these middlemen should be the ones who are responsible."
He stressed that any accountability process must follow due legal procedure, adding, "If someone gets acquittal, then it is done, if someone gets punishment, then it is done. It should be proper."
