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Structural changes are needed to prevent the resurgence of autocracy, he says
Published : 20 Mar 2025, 10:13 PM
Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, says a fascist regime could return even after a government is elected fairly if reforms are not implemented, and the administration and judiciary are not reorganised.
On Thursday, Riaz, a teacher and researcher who heads the Constitutional Reform Commission, said: “Reform is not just a matter of the government’s will; it is much desired by political parties and citizens.
“Therefore, citizens must be vocal in order to establish a national consensus on reforms and formulate a citizen’s charter.”
Riaz added: “The question of state reform arises because over the last 15 years, the fragile institutions in Bangladesh have been further weakened. No move has been made to build any institution in the last 54 years since independence. We have seen how the judiciary has been destroyed.
“To prevent the resurgence of autocracy in Bangladesh in future, structural changes must be made, and to build an accountable state, reforms must be implemented.”
Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Electoral Reform Commission, said: “After Sheikh Hasina fled in the face of the mass uprising on Aug 5, a wonderful opportunity to rebuild our state’s structure emerged .
“To achieve this, the National Consensus Commission is working so that a ‘Citizens Charter’ can be created.”
He reiterated the three mandates of the interim government: “To make several important reforms so that the authoritarian system cannot return again; to bring those guilty of crimes against humanity to justice; organising a fair and free election.
“These can happen simultaneously as none of them are in conflict with the other.”
National Consensus Commission member Justice Emdadul Hoque said: “Various questions and controversies arose in the past about the judiciary. The Judicial Reform Commission has mentioned these in detail in its report and has made necessary recommendations.
“I think reformation is an ongoing process. But now it is time to implement the reforms.”
Monir Haidar, special assistant to the chief advisor, said: “While reform was a curse in the past, it has now become a much-desired issue.
“It is unfortunate that no well-planned initiative has ever been taken in Bangladesh regarding the state concept and reform.
“Shortly after independence and the constitution’s promulgation, various issues emerged, leading to numerous amendments.
“However, most of them served personal interests.”
Former Jahangirnagar University professor Dilara Chowdhury said, “Although there are many problems among our political parties, the state must be run through them.
“For this, political parties must continue to reform and practise democracy within the party.”
Associate Professor of Development Studies at Dhaka University Asif Mohammad Sahan said: “There is currently a national consensus in the country regarding reforms. For reforms, some institutional structures need to be changed.
“Citizens need to be involved in running the state, not just limited to voting.”
