Corruption Persists Despite Uprising, TI Chairman Warns

Transparency International (TI) Chairman Francois Valerian was speaking at a press conference in Dhaka

Transparency International (TI) Chairman Francois Valerian has said that corruption has not yet been fully eradicated from the country, even after the mass uprising in July. While some progress may have occurred, he stressed that it is too early to determine whether corruption has increased or decreased.

Speaking during a press conference in Dhaka, Valerian noted that corruption had surged significantly during the final years of the ousted government’s authoritarian rule. Even after the change in power last August, the problem remains deeply entrenched.

The TI Chairman emphasised that cases involving influential and powerful individuals must be processed through proper judicial channels and brought to a final conclusion. Countries that have successfully done this have seen notable improvements in their rankings on the Corruption Perceptions Index.

Valerian also highlighted the critical role of journalists, civil society activists, and human rights defenders in promoting accountability. “If they face harassment, threats, or violence, it becomes impossible to prevent abuse of power,” he said. Protecting those who inform citizens and uncover the truth, he added, is essential for democracy.

During his visit to Bangladesh, which concludes a tour of three South Asian countries following stops in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Valerian underscored that the trip is not merely symbolic. Its purpose is to show full support and solidarity with the global anti-corruption movement.

He cited the example of nearly USD 16 billion reportedly laundered annually during the rule of the previous government. TI is actively supporting efforts to trace and recover these funds. “Civil society must know where the laundered money has gone, and be involved in the legal process to ensure that illicit assets can be confiscated,” he said.

Valerian also called for coordinated global action to curb money laundering. He referred to a recent case in London, where assets worth £185 million were confiscated through a joint initiative by TI Bangladesh, TI UK, and a UK-based anti-corruption organisation. The collaboration between civil society and law enforcement, he noted, made the recovery possible.

“Globally, nearly one trillion dollars is stolen each year,” Valerian said, stressing that these resources are urgently needed for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. Money laundered from Bangladesh often ends up in luxury properties, vehicles, or international capital markets, inflating prices and harming the economy. Funds intended for public welfare are instead converted into private wealth.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman added that, in addition to recovering laundered funds, efforts must focus on preventing illicit transfers in the first place. By closing avenues for money to leave the country illegally and enforcing existing laws more strictly, opportunities for corruption can be significantly reduced.