In Bangladesh, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted in 2009, aims to empower citizens by promoting transparency and accountability in public, autonomous, and statutory organizations, as well as private organizations run by the government or with foreign financing, ultimately aiming to decrease corruption and establish good governance. 

The Right to Information Act (RTI Act) 2009 in Bangladesh, passed on March 29, 2009, empowers citizens to access information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Purpose:
  The RTI Act aims to empower citizens by promoting transparency and accountability in the workings of public, autonomous, and statutory organizations, as well as private organizations run by the government or with foreign funding. 

• Key Provisions:

  • Every citizen has the right to information from any authority, and the authority is obligated to provide it upon demand. Authorities must maintain records and indexes of information and preserve it in a manner accessible to citizens. Information must be published and publicized in a way that is easily accessible to the public. 

  • The Act is considered a reformative and progressive law in the context of governance in Bangladesh. 

  • Implementation:

  • The Act is a significant step in fulfilling the constitutional pledge of the state of Bangladesh to ensure citizens' access to information. 

  • The Act is deemed a combined effort of civil society organizations, academia, media, researchers, legal experts, etc. 

  • Whistleblower Protection:
    The Disclosure of Public Interest Information (Protection) Act, 2011, provides protection for whistleblowers who disclose information related to misuse of public money, abuse of power, criminal acts, or corruption. 

• Timeframes:

  • Authorities must provide information within 20 working days, except for information related to life and death, arrest, or release of persons, where the deadline is 24 hours. 

  • If multiple authorities are involved, the information may be provided within 30 working days. 

  • If an authority decides to refuse access, the decision must be issued within 10 working days. 

  • How to Seek Information:

  • Citizens can request information from responsible officers in writing, electronically, or via email. 

  • The responsible officer must provide the requested information within 20 working days. 

  • If the officer is unable to provide the information, they must inform the requester of the reason within 10 working days.