Dhaka: The interim government has formed a committee to investigate the purchase of surveillance equipment during the regime of the fallen Sheikh Hasina government. Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, has been appointed as the head of the committee.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the committee will examine the procurement process of the spy devices, including their sources, pricing, and usage. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam addressed a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, revealing that the surveillance equipment was acquired during the previous administration at a cost reported to be between US$200 million and US$300 million.
Alam highlighted that the report clearly indicates the use of surveillance tools and spyware by the previous government to infringe upon the civil rights of Bangladesh’s citizens. He stated that the illegal surveillance compromised freedom of speech and violated constitutional privacy rights. The committee was established during today’s Council of Advisers meeting to delve into these issues comprehensively.
The investigation will also scrutinize the financial outlay and origins of the equipment, with initial reports suggesting purchases from Israel. Alam confirmed that the probe body will thoroughly investigate these matters.
In addition to the investigation, Alam provided updates on ongoing reforms in the country. Last week, it was announced that 121 reform commission recommendations were being implemented, with 16 completed and 14 partially executed. The council meeting also reviewed 246 new recommendations poised for immediate implementation, bringing the total to 367, of which 37 have been completed and 82 pertain to labor reforms.
The Labour Adviser informed the council that many labor-related recommendations are nearing completion. Furthermore, 71 recommendations from the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission are set for prompt implementation, along with 37 from the Local Government Division, 33 from the Health Sector Reform Commission, and 23 from the Media Reform Commission.
Alam emphasized the urgency of implementing recommendations requiring immediate action and mentioned an ongoing investigation into the procurement of deadly weapons for the police, scrutinizing their purchase and usage.