The right to information (RTI) act can be used to protect human rights although it has some limitations, speakers told a seminar yesterday.
They also recommended ensuring freedom of expression and rule of law to protect human rights at the seminar marking the International Right to Information Day 2016.
Article 19, a British human rights organisation, arranged the seminar to launch an orientation session for journalist in the capital's Lakeshore Hotel.
“The journalists have an important role to play as they work like protectors of human rights through their reporting,” said Meghna Guhathakurta, executive director of Research Initiatives Bangladesh.
On the act's use, she said, “I think not many journalists have been using the RTI act for the delay in the process to deliver information,” added the human rights activist.
She also criticised the Human Rights Commission's act which does not allow any independent investigation against law enforcers.
British High Commissioner Alison Blake said, “Open government is better government which ensures transparency and economic development of the country.”
“We are working in Bangladesh government and its civil society to enact the right to information act,” she said.
Manzoor Hasan, executive director, South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies, said, “We have strong legislation but in terms of implementation of law we are lagging behind as we have bureaucracy problems.”
He also added that Bangladesh was comparatively getting better in ensuring freedom of expression but still the rule of law needed to be implemented.
Sohrab Hossain, joint editor, Prothom Alo, also spoke while a website “Nirbhoy” was launched to support journalists get information over legal support.