Slow progress in Rana Plaza trial

TIB blames lack of political will

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday blamed “a lack of political will” to finish the trial process of the Rana Plaza collapse case that has been pending for five years. TIB also recommended the formation of a speedy trial tribunal for disposal of the case. “It was not possible to bring those who were directly and indirectly responsible for the collapse of Rana Plaza to justice. The main reason was procrastination. Sometimes we believe that there is a lack of political will in this case,” TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said at a conference titled “Good governance in ready-made garments—Progress and challenge”.

Iftekharuzzaman said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed a case against the owner of Rana Plaza and his mother for keeping illegal money. “The two were sentenced to three years and six years in prison, respectively, in March

this year. But there is still no penalty on the main charges,” he added. Sultana Kamal, the chairperson of TIB’s board of trustees, said the Rana Plaza tragedy had occurred in broad daylight. “It’s clear to everyone why the accident happened and why the building collapsed. This is not a secret,” she added.

“Many of the injured and relatives of the victims are ready to testify in the case. However, the accused are politically, socially and economically influential; they are delaying the case in the High Court. They are always obstructing the trial process, and this is affecting good governance,” she noted.

Nazmul Huda Mina, TIB’s assistant programme manager, presented a research report on the Rana Plaza tragedy.

The report said the CID had filed cases against the owners of Rana Plaza and those of the factories functioning in it for breaching criminal and labour laws. “A charge-sheet was filed against 41 people in 2015. But now, the High Court has stayed the proceeding due to a plea by the accused,” it stated.

There were also charges of violations of building laws against 18 people. But the accused had filed a revision suit in Dhaka district and sessions judge’s court that has not been settled yet.

According to the TIB report, 102 steps were recommended for ensuring safety in factories. Of these, 39 per cent have been implemented, work is in progress on 41 per cent, and action is yet to be taken on the remaining 20 per cent.

Slow progress in Rana Plaza trial

TIB blames lack of political will

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday blamed a lack of political will to finish the trial process of the Rana Plaza collapse case that has been pending for five years. TIB also recommended the formation of a speedy trial tribunal for disposal of the case. It was not possible to bring those who were directly and indirectly responsible for the collapse of Rana Plaza to justice. The main reason was procrastination. Sometimes we believe that there is a lack of political will in this case, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said at a conference titled Good governance in ready-made garmentsProgress and challenge. Iftekharuzzaman said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed a case against the owner of Rana Plaza and his mother for keeping illegal money. The two were sentenced to three years and six years in prison, respectively, in March this year. But there is still no penalty on the main charges, he added. Sultana Kamal, the chairperson of TIBs board of trustees, said the Rana Plaza tragedy had occurred in broad daylight. Its clear to everyone why the accident happened and why the building collapsed. This is not a secret, she added. Many of the injured and relatives of the victims are ready to testify in the case. However, the accused are politically, socially and economically influential; they are delaying the case in the High Court. They are always obstructing the trial process, and this is affecting good governance, she noted. Nazmul Huda Mina, TIBs assistant programme manager, presented a research report on the Rana Plaza tragedy. The report said the CID had filed cases against the owners of Rana Plaza and those of the factories functioning in it for breaching criminal and labour laws. A charge-sheet was filed against 41 people in 2015. But now, the High Court has stayed the proceeding due to a plea by the accused, it stated. There were also charges of violations of building laws against 18 people. But the accused had filed a revision suit in Dhaka district and sessions judges court that has not been settled yet. According to the TIB report, 102 steps were recommended for ensuring safety in factories. Of these, 39 per cent have been implemented, work is in progress on 41 per cent, and action is yet to be taken on the remaining 20 per cent.