Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has hailed the government for endorsing the draft of National Defence Policy-2018.
The non-government body that combats corruption urged the government to create an opportunity for people to express their opinion about the new draft of the defence policy before enacting it into a law.
TIB observed its importance for national security and defence, and urged the government to enact the policy into a law through participatory process.
Earlier on Sunday, the cabinet approved the draft defence policy in principle at a secretariat meeting.
“Approving the draft national defence policy is undoubtedly a significant milestone which is consistent with the good governance policies”, said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive director of TIB.
People have the right to know the details of the policy. Besides making it fully public-friendly, the government should ensure people’s participation in it and give them the opportunity to provide opinion about it -- all of which are considered an integral part of developing democratic practices, he added.
He expressed the key focus of the policy should be participatory, transparency and accountability.
