Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep disappointment over the interim government's continuation of the practice of the fallen authoritarian regime of sending "unusually large delegation" to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The anti-graft watchdog termed the practice an "embarrassing record", usually followed either by major powers such as the United States, Russia, or China to ensure broad diplomatic influence, or by countries like Nigeria where good governance is lacking.
"But even in those cases, delegations rarely exceed a hundred members," said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB.
He questioned the potential benefits of sending more than a hundred delegates to the ongoing 80th session of the UNGA. "The country, its people and the taxpayers have the right to know what will be gained from such a move and what messages were conveyed by the decision."
The TIB statement said the previous authoritarian regime had normalised the practice, with the number in some instances exceeding two hundred.
"We hoped that a government established through an unprecedented, blood-soaked student and people's uprising -- with a pledge to reform the state based on transparency, accountability and good governance -- would abandon such practices," the statement said.
Regrettably, it said, the interim government has chosen to follow the same path. "It is unfortunate that, despite issuing a circular after assuming office with explicit instructions to stop unnecessary foreign trips and the misuse of public funds, the government has undermined confidence in its own position by sending a delegation of over a hundred members to the 80th UN General Assembly."
The statement also raised questions on what criteria determined the composition of the delegation. "Were the areas of meaningful participation in line with the agenda of the General Assembly and the national interest considered?"
It demanded a clear explanation on the matter. "Such questionable precedents are deeply embarrassing and disappointing for an interim government formed in the aftermath of the public uprising."
TIB statement on Prof Yunus' UNGA delegation "deeply disappointing": CA's press wing
UNB Reports: The interim government on Friday reacted to the statement issued by the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), noting that it is "deeply disappointing" that it issued a public statement based on unverified social media posts, rather than verified facts.
"Contrary to TIB’s recent statement — which unfortunately relies on inaccurate information — the Bangladesh delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is not only significantly smaller than those of the Hasina era, but also far more focused, industrious, and results-driven," said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam in a statement.
TIB is a respected civil society organisation and a long-standing advocate for transparency, he said.
The delegation's purpose is to represent the interests of Bangladesh and its people at the world’s most significant diplomatic gathering, where key global decisions are shaped. Over the past five days alone, members of the delegation have held at least a dozen high-level meetings, including bilateral engagements with more than six heads of state or government, Press Secretary Alam said.
TIB has inaccurately claimed that the delegation exceeds 100 members.
The actual number is 62 — only marginally higher than last year's 57, said the Press Secretary. "It is worth noting that last year’s figure did not account for six eminent politicians who traveled at the invitation of the Chief Adviser."
Roughly a third of this year’s delegation comprises security personnel, who are essential to ensuring the safety of senior officials, including Professor Muhammad Yunus, amid credible threats from Awami League supporters, Alam said.
Despite these measures, he said, the current team has been stretched, with many security officers working extended 16-hour shifts to provide adequate protection.
The government acknowledges that questions may arise regarding the size of the delegation.
However, Alam said, this year’s UNGA holds exceptional significance for Bangladesh. "At a time when various actors are engaged in deliberate efforts to destabilise the country — including a concerted campaign to misrepresent the July uprising — strong and proactive international engagement is not just strategic, but necessary."
The press secretary said it is well documented that the Awami League and its allies are spending millions to fund a flood of misinformation about the Interim government and the July uprising -- and to lobby against Bangladesh's democratic transition, often with the tacit support of certain international quarters.
This year’s delegation includes several individuals who will represent Bangladesh at the upcoming Rohingya Conference on September 30 — underscoring Dhaka’s continued leadership on one of the region’s most urgent humanitarian and security issues, he said.
In addition, several advisers — though not part of the formal UNGA delegation — have travelled separately to engage with their global counterparts on matters of mutual concern, Alam said.
Leaders of Bangladesh’s most popular political parties were also invited to participate, and a number of officials were assigned to support them, he said.
'This inclusive approach sends a clear and unequivocal message: Bangladesh is firmly committed to a peaceful, democratic transition," Alam said.
