Reform failure could revive old politics: Speakers

Bangladesh’s post-July political transition must be anchored in democratic reform, institutional accountability, political tolerance and meaningful inclusion, speakers said on Saturday, warning that failure to implement agreed reforms could revive old political practices and deepen public frustration.

The observations came at a dialogue titled “Where Does Reform Stand? Progress, Challenges and the Way Forward”, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) under its Reform Watch initiative at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.

The credibility of Bangladesh’s reform process will increasingly depend on whether agreed proposals are turned into functioning institutions and political practices, rather than on the number of reforms discussed, speakers at the dialogue said.

The discussion presented findings from a mid-term report on implementation of the July National Charter and brought together representatives of major political parties, civil society, academia, law and the media.

CGS President Zillur Rahman said reform was an ongoing process, although people often expected everything to be achieved at once.

He said democratic reconstruction and democracy were fundamentally matters of broader political culture and continuous practice.

Zillur Rahman noted that a good election had undoubtedly been held, although after such a long period, some people might still not consider it fully acceptable.

BNP MP Shahadat Hossain Selim said there were “notes of dissent” on 16 out of 84 issues, stressing that not all of them came from the BNP.

He argued that various commissions had framed their proposals in a way that left the BNP “trying to swim with its hands and feet tied.”

He said constitutional amendments should be undertaken through a special committee based on broad discussion and consultation, as there was no realistic alternative.

BNP MP Jahrat Adib Chowdhury said corruption, violence against women, unemployment and inequality had increased and needed to be addressed effectively.

She said greater political maturity had been expected after 5 August and called for continued dialogue between the government and opposition, greater transparency and accountability in the bureaucracy, and stronger political tolerance among young people.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam said fundamental and structural reforms were necessary to fulfil the aspirations that emerged after July.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary said the July movement had created a major opportunity for reform, but political interests later weakened that consensus.

While describing significant parts of the July Charter as positive, he argued that its initial process was legally questionable.

He said existing parliamentary committees could consult all political parties and pass key elements of the July Charter as legislation.

Patwary also pointed to a lack of expected progress in judicial independence, the Human Rights Commission, judicial appointments and other major areas of reform.

CGS Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi said public opinion must receive priority while bureaucratic reform, checks and balances and accountability must be ensured.

He said the July Charter should reflect people’s democratic aspirations in executive and legislative processes while ensuring meaningful representation of women.

He warned that weakening political unity could create space for undemocratic forces to return, making effective action-not merely discussion-essential to meeting public expectations.

Journalist Sohrab Hassan said political decisions should be made through dialogue to safeguard fundamental rights and build an inclusive democracy.

He stressed the need to strengthen local government, increase women’s participation and move away from patriarchal political structures.

Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong said ethnic communities across Bangladesh must receive equal opportunities, dignity and political representation.

He also called for an effective state role in protecting their languages and cultures.

Senior jurist and former member of the Constitutional Reform Commission Dr Sharif Bhuiyan said constitutional and state reforms must be participatory.

He warned that without implementing reforms and changing political culture, the old system would continue.

The dialogue was organised under CGS’s Reform Watch initiative to assess progress in implementing the July National Charter. Speakers included BNP MPs Shahadat Hossain Selim and Jahrat Adib Chowdhury; 11-party Party Alliance MPs Tasmia Prodhan and Subikunnahar Munni; BSD Joint General Secretary Razekuzzaman Ratan; Jatiya Party Secretary General Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary; JSD General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan; AB Party Joint General Secretary and Head of International Affairs Barrister Nasreen Sultana Mily; CPB Presidium Member Joly Talukder; Rashtro Songskar Andolon member Lamia Islam; Khelafat Majlis Organising Secretary Prof Kazi Minhazul Alam; journalist Sohrab Hassan; Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong; former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam; CGS Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi; Dr Sharif Bhuiyan; North South University Professor of Political Science and Sociology Dr Bulbul Siddiqi; and NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tusher.