CRC stalemate raises risk for parliament
The delay in convening the Constitution Reform Council (CRC) could create serious legal and political complications for the elected parliament and stall key reform measures promised to citizens, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive committee member and senior Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Manir has warned.
Speaking on Monday, Manir said cancelling or delaying the implementation of the July National Charter referendum could expose the parliament to legal challenges and undermine a series of reform ordinances that had raised public expectations.
He alleged that the government was reluctant to implement more than 20
ordinances, including those related to the prevention of enforced disappearance, reforms to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the appointment of Supreme Court judges. “These ordinances had raised hopes of reform among the people,” he said.
The long-awaited Constitution Reform Council (CRC) has yet to be convened nearly a year after the July National Charter referendum, raising growing political concerns that delays could slow constitutional reforms and weaken the implementation of key governance measures.
The CRC is mandated by the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, to review the constitution and propose amendments in line with the referendum and party commitments.
Under the charter, members of the 13th parliament are required to take two oaths — one as Members of Parliament and another as CRC members — to participate in the reform process.
So far, 77 MPs from the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance have taken both oaths, while MPs from the BNP-led alliance have refused to join the council, citing procedural and political concerns, further deepening divisions over the reform process.
The issue triggered heated debate in parliament on Sunday after opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman submitted a notice seeking discussion on convening the CRC.
Government ministers, including Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, questioned the procedural validity of the notice under parliamentary rules, while opposition MPs insisted that the matter required urgent discussion to safeguard public interest.
Civil society members have also stressed the importance of timely constitutional reform. Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), said the outcome of the reform process should reflect the sovereign will of the people expressed through the referendum and urged political parties to respect that mandate through dialogue and consensus.
The government has proposed forming a bipartisan committee involving both ruling and opposition parties to guide the constitutional amendment process, with the possibility of including constitutional experts, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders.
Political analysts warn that continued delay in forming the CRC could slow the implementation of promised reforms, delay legal protections for citizens, and create uncertainty around governance and accountability measures.
Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal has announced a two-hour parliamentary discussion today after the day’s agenda to debate procedural and substantive issues related to the CRC and the July charter, with parliament expected to determine the framework for implementing constitutional reforms.
Experts note that constitutional amendments often introduce stronger legal safeguards, improved accountability mechanisms, and updated governance frameworks.
Without the CRC’s work, outdated laws may remain in place, potentially affecting citizens’ rights and delaying reforms in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and social protection.
