Years of corruption hollowed out state
Staff Reporter:
Years of corruption and misrule had hollowed out the Bangladeshi state, leaving behind a crippled economy, weakened institutions and a broken democratic system, according to the government’s newly published Reform Book.
The book, released by the interim government, outlines key reform initiatives undertaken since August 2024.
The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing disclosed the publication on Sunday, setting the reforms against the backdrop of nearly sixteen years of what it described as fascist-style repression under the rule of Sheikh Hasina.
It said the turning point came on 5 August 2024, when millions of Bangladeshis – led largely by young men and women – took to the streets declaring “Enough is enough”, triggering the July Uprising and the formation of an interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus at a time of profound national crisis.
According to the press wing, the interim administration inherited an economy drained of hundreds of billions of dollars siphoned from public institutions, a banking sector paralysed by massive non-performing loans, and regulatory bodies, including the central bank, subordinated to private and political interests.
Law enforcement agencies had been used as tools of political repression, judicial independence had been eroded by corruption and manipulation, voter-less elections had become routine, and media freedom and civil society had all but disappeared.
From this wreckage, the interim government initiated a broad transformation process, establishing expert-led Reform Commissions immediately after taking office and seeking sector-specific recommendations.
Based on these reports and its own initiatives, the government enacted around 130 laws and made over 600 executive decisions within eighteen months, with roughly 84 per cent already implemented, signalling what it called genuine and tangible reform rather than cosmetic change.
The reform agenda has delivered major progress in economic management and foreign relations. New trade agreements have diversified partnerships, including an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan granting duty-free access to around 7,400 Bangladeshi products.
Strategic cooperation with China has extended loan maturities, supported healthcare infrastructure and improved flood forecasting through shared hydrological data, while negotiations with the United States reduced reciprocal tariffs from 37 per cent to 20 per cent.
Diplomatic ties with key partners have improved, and relations with India have been recalibrated on a more balanced and respectful footing.
Accountability measures have also begun, with anti-corruption cases filed against hundreds of politicians and officials from the fallen regime, billions of dollars in assets frozen or confiscated, banking oversight strengthened, procurement transparency expanded across 42 ministries, and full autonomy granted to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
Law enforcement reforms have seen more than 1,200 officers suspended pending investigation and the introduction of human rights-centred training, while special commissions have collected testimonies from thousands of victims and families.
The Rapid Action Battalion has been restructured and renamed the Special Intervention Force to reflect changes in its mandate and operations.
Judicial independence has been restored through structural reforms placing all courts under Supreme Court administration, with judges now appointed through merit-based processes insulated from political influence.
Media freedom has been re-established, with politically motivated cases against journalists dropped and previously banned outlets allowed to resume operations.
The interim government has also pursued inclusive political dialogue, culminating in the July Charter after seven months of televised consultations.
The Charter, awaiting approval through a referendum, seeks to entrench fundamental rights, checks and balances, and safeguards against a return to authoritarianism.
While acknowledging that eighteen months cannot undo sixteen years of damage, the press wing said Bangladesh has decisively turned away from authoritarian rule, guided by the courage that filled the streets in July and August 2024.