Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Tuesday that the appointment of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir under the technocrat quota is not constitutional if he retains dual citizenship. In a press release, TIB also said his acceptance of the post without clearly explaining his position on the matter raises questions.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman cited Articles 56(2), 66(2)(c) and 66(2a) of the Constitution. He said a person appointed minister or state minister without being an MP must be eligible to be elected an MP, while a person who has acquired foreign citizenship or acknowledged allegiance to a foreign state is ineligible. He said reports from reliable sources indicated Kabir has foreign citizenship and involvement in that country’s active politics.

TIB expressed concern over Kabir’s reported counter-questions to journalists, calling them an example of a “shoot the messenger” tendency and a threat to media freedom and the public’s right to information. Law Minister Asaduzzaman said Tuesday that Kabir took the oath constitutionally. TIB urged Kabir to clarify his dual-citizenship status and called for disclosure by other officials facing similar questions.