Bangladesh cannot be labelled as an autocratic country, as shown in the report prepared by the Germany-based institution Bertelsmann Stiftung, said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, the executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), yesterday. He, however, agreed with other aspects portrayed by the report. Dr Iftekharuzzaman was talking to a group of reporters at his office in Dhanmondi yesterday.

“It's true that there is a challenge for democracy in Bangladesh. But it doesn't mean that anyone would generalise by saying that this is an autocratic country,” he said.

“I have noticed only one such general comment in the report. The government should treat the report with due importance,” he added.