DHAKA – Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has questioned the constitutional validity of the appointment of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir under the technocrat quota, citing concerns over his reported dual citizenship.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, TIB said the appointment of a dual citizen as a state minister under the technocrat quota was inconsistent with the Constitution and criticised Kabir for failing to provide a direct and transparent explanation regarding his citizenship status.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said Article 56(2) of the Constitution requires a person appointed as a minister or state minister who is not a Member of Parliament to be eligible for election to Parliament.
He pointed to Article 66(2)(c), which disqualifies a person who acquires the citizenship of a foreign state or acknowledges allegiance to a foreign state from being elected to Parliament. He also cited Article 66(2A), which addresses the requirement to relinquish foreign citizenship in cases involving dual citizenship.
“Therefore, his appointment under the technocrat quota while retaining dual citizenship is in conflict with the Constitution,” Iftekharuzzaman said.
TIB also criticised the state minister’s response to journalists who questioned his citizenship status. According to the organisation, instead of directly answering questions in the public interest, Kabir reportedly responded by asking, “Who is doing the news?” and “Why are they so concerned?”
Iftekharuzzaman described the behaviour as an example of the “shoot the messenger” practice associated with the previous authoritarian period.
“The issue is not who published the news or who raised the question. The fundamental question is whether the minister’s foreign citizenship was still valid when he assumed office,” he said, stressing that the minister had a responsibility to directly answer such a clear constitutional and public-interest question.
However, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Tuesday that Kabir had already renounced his British citizenship.
“State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has relinquished his British citizenship. There has been no violation of the law in his oath-taking. The government has acted in accordance with the Constitution,” the minister said.
TIB nevertheless called for greater transparency and urged the government and public officials to refrain from attempts that could undermine a free media, independent journalism, freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.
DHAKA, August 25, 2026
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