In Bangladesh today, speaking truth to power can feel like standing alone in a storm. Mukit chose that storm. When he exposed misuse of public resources within a government institution, he did more than bare corruption—he performed an act of public service. 

 What Did Mukit Do:  

Mukitul Hasan, Second Secretary at the Customs Policy Wing of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has been suspended for allegedly leaking a classified state document. The leaked material pertained to sensitive tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States, which were protected under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). The breach was considered a serious violation of official discipline, especially given Hasan’s direct involvement in the negotiation process. A Bengali-language media outlet had published a report based on the leaked document, which was later withdrawn. In response, the NBR filed a case and issued the suspension order, signed by Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan. Separately, M Zillur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Cell, was also suspended for publicly tearing his transfer order, alongside 14 other officials facing similar disciplinary action. 

Mukit’s Courage and Its Costs 

Mukit’s decision to disclose wrongdoing wasn’t born of personal vendetta. He witnessed funds diverted from essential healthcare projects and watched promises to the poorest slip away. By going public, he risked career derailment, social ostracism, and even legal harassment under outdated secrecy laws. 

Yet Mukit’s bravery shines as a beacon: it reminds us that transparency isn’t optional. It’s the lifeblood of democracy and trust. 

 The Legal Shield in Bangladesh 

The Public Interest Information Disclosure (Provide Protection) Act of 2011 was designed precisely for voices like Mukit’s: 

• Legal Immunity: He cannot face criminal, civil, or departmental action for revealing truthful, public-interest information. 

• Confidentiality: His identity is protected unless he opts into disclosure. 

• Protection from Retaliation: Demotion, forced retirement, harassment—all barred if he’s a government employee. 

• Evidence Shielding: Disclosures can’t be used against him in proceedings unless found maliciously false. 

This law overrides any conflicting clauses in earlier statutes, ensuring that duty to the public eclipses outdated notions of secrecy. 

International Mandates Reinforcing Mukit’s Rights 

Bangladesh’s commitment to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) further cements Mukit’s protections: 

• Protection Against Retaliation: States must shield whistleblowers from unjust treatment when acting in good faith. 

• Freedom of Expression: Universal human rights guarantee the right to seek, receive, and impart information. 

• Best Practices: Frameworks like the OECD Recommendation and the EU Directive champion anonymity, legal immunity, and institutional support. 

These global standards aren’t mere formalities—they’re a call to action for governments to turn legal texts into real safeguards. 

From Law to Culture: The Real Challenge 

Protections on paper mean little without a culture that values accountability. Mukit’s case exposes a deeper truth: our institutions and society must shift from viewing whistleblowers as troublemakers to honoring them as guardians of the public interest. 

We need: 

• Clear, independent whistleblower-protection agencies 

• Education campaigns that celebrate civic courage 

• Corporate and bureaucratic reforms to embed transparency at every level 

Only then will individuals like Mukit feel safe enough to speak out without fear. 

Mukit’s stand reminds us that every citizen carries the power—and responsibility—to safeguard the common good. It’s on us, as a society and as a government, to ensure that when conscience strikes, it finds not chains, but open doors and a grateful nation. 

Robi Das

International Human Rights Lawyer in exile.