Editorial
Now, a Truth Commission for businessmen
Novel idea, needs public debate
Law Adviser Mainul Hosein's comments on the possibility of the formation of a Truth Commission that will give businessmen accused of corruption the scope to 'confess' and so let them get back to doing their jobs took us a bit by surprise. Part of our surprise springs from the fact that the commission is meant only for businessmen. The suggestion also lacks details. While we certainly appreciate the novelty of the idea, there are some significant aspects of the issue that are not known to us. Among those aspects are the probable terms of reference of the body, its legal basis, the morality governing its establishment and functions and finally the applicability of the commission's decisions. Besides, to what extent does such a commission affect the working of the normal laws pertaining to criminal conduct?
One worrying part of any talk about a Truth Commission is whether the idea was at all discussed by the council of advisers before the media were let into it by the law adviser. If it was not, it is important that it be deliberated on. After all, a Truth Commission must have some strong moral and legal basis to work on. A common thread running through the commissions we so far know about is that they have largely been concerned with inquiring into human rights violations, political violence, ethnic killings and the like. A Truth Commission is an essentially late twentieth century development and is generally concerned with bringing together the fragmented parts of a shattered society back into one whole piece again. As far as we in Bangladesh are aware, nothing has happened to suggest that our nation has essentially dwindled into a fragmented society requiring such a commission. Moreover, it is hard to understand why a Truth Commission should apply only to businessmen and leave out the politicians now in jail or on the run. The suggestion does not offer a level playing field to all.
The law adviser thinks a Truth Commission could help encourage businessmen into bringing back enthusiasm in trade and industry. The reality, though, is that the business community has itself suggested some tangible measures for a revival of business confidence. We are not certain as to how seriously those suggestions have been examined. The government can work on those suggestions in earnest. As for a Truth Commission being there, it will need detailed discussions with business circles and the legal community. The suggestion needs to be further crystallised before we can consider adopting it.
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