[🇧🇩] Reforms carried out by the interim/future Govts.

[Saif]

EU ready to support reform agenda: new envoy

The new European Union ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Tuesday expressed the EU’s readiness to support the reform agenda of the interim government, led by...

www.newagebd.net

EU ready to support reform agenda: new envoy
Staff Correspondent 15 October, 2024, 21:01

New European Union ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller pays an introductory courtesy call on foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain at his Segun Bagicha office in Dhaka on Tuesday. | Press release

The new European Union ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Tuesday expressed the EU’s readiness to support the reform agenda of the interim government, led by professor Muhammad Yunus.

During an introductory courtesy call on foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain at his office in Segun Bagicha, Miller offered the EU’s full cooperation in areas such as human rights, good governance, and the democratic process, according to a foreign ministry press release.

The EU envoy highlighted the recent student-led mass uprising as an unprecedented opportunity for change in Bangladesh.

Miller also stated that the EU was keen to diversify trade relations with Bangladesh by increasing investment, and it supported the country’s transition following its graduation from the Least Developed Country status.

In response, the foreign adviser welcomed the EU’s support and assured efforts to create a better business environment to strengthen trade and investment relations.

Describing Bangladesh-EU relations as vibrant and important, Touhid Hossain requested EU assistance in the health and education sectors, with a particular focus on improving technical and vocational training institutes.

He also stressed the need for support in recovering stolen assets deposited abroad by some Bangladeshi nationals, to which the EU ambassador offered technical assistance.

Miller informed the adviser about the European Investment Bank’s ongoing 900 million investment in Bangladesh’s rail, energy, water, and health sectors. He expressed the EIB’s readiness to increase its investment portfolio in the country.

Both the adviser and the ambassador welcomed the forthcoming discussion on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which aims to elevate Bangladesh-EU relations to new heights.

The EU ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s continued assistance for the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

Both parties agreed that the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, with rights and safety guaranteed, remained the only sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis.​

 

[Saif]

Reforms require unity among our politicians

Bangladesh’s political standards are now at their lowest point, with integrity in governance and honesty in leadership almost non-existent.

www.thedailystar.net

Reforms require unity among our politicians
People yearn for leaders capable of rooting out corruption, challenging harmful traditions, and fostering unity for the betterment of Bangladesh

VISUAL: ANWAR SOHEL

In a recent interview with Prothom Alo, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus urged the nation, "Unite for reforms. We must not hold the election without carrying out reforms. That is my appeal to everyone. Do not lose this opportunity." His appeal captures a sentiment shared by millions: emphasising that reforms must precede elections if democracy is to thrive in Bangladesh. For too long, elections have been treated as rituals to renew power, not as opportunities for meaningful change. Since independence, no government in Bangladesh has fully lived up to the expectations of its people. Despite repeated promises, successive administrations have failed to deliver on their commitments. This persistent failure has fuelled widespread disillusionment, with many citizens now seeing politics as a self-serving enterprise rather than a means of public service. The growing mistrust reflects a deeper crisis within the political system, raising a crucial question: what do the people of Bangladesh truly expect from their leaders?

The people of Bangladesh expect politicians to be honest, accountable, and dedicated to public service. They want leaders to create a safe and fair environment where they can live and work without fear of bribery or extortion. People also expect politicians to focus on important matters like economic growth, healthcare, and education. Sadly, most politicians seem more interested in criticising opponents, using harsh words and weak arguments. People also hope for fair prices of essential goods and reliable access to basic services such as water, electricity, and gas, so people from all income levels can live with dignity. They want freedom of speech to be protected, allowing them to speak out without fear of retaliation. Citizens are tired of promises made during election campaigns that are never kept—they expect politicians to deliver on their commitments through fair and responsible leadership that upholds the law and ensures institutions serve everyone equally. Unfortunately, there is a wide gap between these expectations and the political reality in Bangladesh.

For the past three decades, Bangladesh's political landscape has been dominated by two major players: the Awami League (AL) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Despite their longstanding dominance, these parties have failed to reach a consensus on any matter of national, political, social or economic importance that could genuinely benefit the country. Their ideological divisions are stark, but ironically, their main goal remains the same—winning elections and holding on to power—at any cost. Both parties have followed the same playbook when they were in opposition: boycotting parliament, inciting violent protests, and damaging public and private property, all in the name of democratic rights. They claim to uphold democracy, but their actions suggest otherwise. Their internal structures remain highly autocratic, and most decisions are made based on the personal preferences of the party president/chairperson. There is little room for new ideas or input from others, which stifles political progress and power stays within a small circle of individuals.

Politics in Bangladesh, once considered a noble calling, has now become a fast track to wealth and power. For some, it serves as a family legacy; for others, it is a shortcut to personal enrichment. While corruption has always existed in politics, the current scale and openness of it are alarming. Many politicians control local territories, rig public contracts, and engage in various illegal activities, including land grabbing, sand mining, extortion from street vendors and the transport sector, and running drugs and gambling operations. A Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report reveals that corruption in the Roads and Highways Department alone has cost the nation nearly Tk 50,835 crore over the past 15 years. Another TIB report estimates that Tk 2,000 crore is extorted every year by transport owners' and workers' associations. This money is shared among influential figures, including politicians, police, bureaucrats, contractors, and engineers.

Political leaders have built a patronage system that extends into nearly every sector, including student groups, labour unions, lawyers, teachers, doctors, and business leaders. These groups are often offered financial incentives, business opportunities, or influential positions in exchange for suppressing dissent from the public or opposition parties. This system has enabled successive regimes to cling to power through a mix of violence and rewards, alienating ordinary citizens and causing unnecessary suffering. What is particularly concerning is how politicians exploit the poor and manipulate the youth for their political interests. It has become customary for political parties to use young people as picketers during protests. Some of these picketers are street children, while others are students. Under the guise of political movements, they engage in street violence, often fighting fiercely on behalf of their political mentors and, in the process, become victims of violence themselves. These young people are treated as expendable foot soldiers by all political parties.

There is no doubt that Bangladesh's political standards are now at their lowest point, with integrity in governance and honesty in leadership almost non-existent. Bangladesh's politics had a glorious past, marked by a proud history of struggle and supreme sacrifices for national causes, including the Language Movement of 1952, the Mass Uprising of 1969, and the Liberation War of 1971. In those days, the most well-educated, honest, and socially conscious individuals with high moral values engaged in politics. Unfortunately, over time, things have deteriorated. While even a clerical job now requires a college degree, there is no minimum educational qualification requirement to become an MP—an important position with responsibility for making laws.

Professor Yunus rightly argued that holding elections without meaningful reforms would be a grave mistake. Rebuilding political institutions and fostering a healthier political culture are monumental tasks—especially for an interim government with limited time. Yet, key reforms are essential not only to ensure free and fair elections but also to curb the misuse of state resources and dismantle the cycles of patronage and political violence that have plagued the nation for decades. People are exhausted by these "self-serving netas;" they yearn for leaders capable of rooting out corruption, challenging harmful traditions, and, most importantly, fostering unity for the betterment of Bangladesh. However, these aspirations demand more than empty promises—they require genuine action. Unless politicians address these critical issues, the gap between public expectations and political realities will continue to widen. The question now is whether political leaders will rise to meet the people's expectations—or allow yet another opportunity for meaningful change to slip away.

Abu Afsarul Haider is an entrepreneur.​

 

[Saif]

Ensure diversity in the reform commissions

Lack of female, minority representation is concerning

www.thedailystar.net

Ensure diversity in the reform commissions
Lack of female, minority representation is concerning

VISUAL: STAR

It is disconcerting that the reform commissions established by the interim government lack adequate representation of women and minority groups. Among the 10 commissions set up so far—concerning the judiciary, election system, civil administration, police, Anti-Corruption Commission, constitution, health affairs, mass media, labour rights, and women's affairs—only the one on women's affairs is headed by a woman.

So far, a total of 50 members have been selected to work for the six commissions constituted on October 3 (while the remaining four are yet to be fully staffed). Of them, only five members are female, according to a report by Prothom Alo. Moreover, there is no representation from religious and ethnic minority groups in the nine-member constitutional reform commission, despite one of the major criticisms of the 1972 constitution being its failure to recognise ethnic minorities. Similarly, the police and judiciary reform commissions have no members from religious and minority communities. Retired government officers make up the largest group—30 percent—among all commission members. In addition, the academics selected as members of various commissions are mostly from Dhaka University (particularly its law department), while other universities, especially those outside Dhaka, have been overlooked.

This underrepresentation of certain groups, and simultaneously overrepresentation of certain others, go against the spirit of the July-August uprising that called for an end to all forms of discrimination. However, diversity carries more than just symbolic value. For example, a recent opinion piece published in this daily highlighted the need for diversity in the health system reform committee. This committee mainly consists of clinicians and physicians, excluding professionals from essential fields such as pharmacology, which is a critical aspect of healthcare.

We still do not know the extent to which the reform commissions will influence the final reform framework, as their mandates or terms of reference have not been published yet. However, Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus's September 11 speech indicated that changes proposed by the commissions will not be implemented without consultation with representatives from student bodies, civil society, and major political parties. This offers hope that the final reform framework will incorporate the voices of less-privileged and marginalised communities. Additionally, there is always room to improve the composition of the commissions as the head of each commission has the authority to select the number and qualifications of members.

Thus, we hope that all commissions will prioritise proper representation of diverse groups and perspectives while finalising their members. We also hope that the interim government's future actions will uphold the importance of representational value in all matters of state reform.​

 

[Saif]

Reforms progress reviewed as Yunus sits with body chiefs

The commissions, formed by the interim government to reform different systems and organisations, are now proceeding at full speed to complete their tasks as soon as possible.

www.newagebd.net

Reforms progress reviewed as Yunus sits with body chiefs
Staff Correspondent 04 November, 2024, 16:53

Bangladesh’s interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus holds a meeting with advisers to different ministries and chiefs of reform commissions at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka on Monday. | BSS photo

The commissions, formed by the interim government to reform different systems and organisations, are now proceeding at full speed to complete their tasks as soon as possible.

Chiefs of the reform bodies on Monday updated interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus about their progress, findings and ideas at a meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office at Tejgaon in Dhaka city.

Electoral reform commission chief Badiul Alam Majumdar said at the meeting that measures were underway to ensure the voting rights of Bangladeshi expatriates and work on postal ballots was progressing to enable the voters to exercise franchise through post.

Having mentioned that the voter list was being adjusted with the national identity card database, he said that his commission was taking effective measures to facilitate women’s participation in the electoral process.

Besides maintaining regular communication with the stakeholders, their suggestions were also being collected through using digital platforms, he added.

Public administration reform commission chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury informed the chief adviser at the meeting that besides proceeding with the work at full speed, his commission started seeking stakeholders’ opinion through website.

The commission members visited the district and upazila levels and exchanged views with people, Muyeed said.

The commission members informed the chief adviser that they were currently exchanging views with the representatives of various public administration cadres and hoped that they would be able to submit their report within the stipulated timeframe, the chief adviser’s press wing said.

Highlighting the progress of the initiatives of the police administration reform commission, its head Safar Raz Hossain said that the reform commission had already held 14 meetings, including four meetings with stakeholders.

The police reform commission had also posted a questionnaire on the website seeking public opinion, he said, adding that it was scrutinising the proposals made to amend some laws and rules.

The commission was also preparing some proposals to simplify some processes, he added. Safar said that work was also underway on a proposal to change the method and use of force for mob control, while several sections of the Criminal Procedure Code 1898 were being examined to check their need for undergoing change.

Interim government chief adviser at an address to the nation on September 11 announced the six reform commissions tasking them with proposing reforms in six key sectors and organisations.

The commissions have been formed in the backdrop of the interim government’s assuming power on August 8 after Sheikh Hasina had resigned as prime minister and fled to India on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising, ending the 15-year long autocratic regime led by Awami League.

In his September 11 address, Yunus said that his government wanted effective reforms to start a new journey as a nation.

As the initial step towards reforms, the six commissions were formed, he said.

Later, six prominent citizens were appointed to lead the commissions that officially began their activities from the last month.

The six commissions are—election system reform commission, police administration reform commission, judiciary reform commission, Anti-Corruption Commission reform commission, public administration reform commission and constitutional reform commission.

All the commissions were asked to place their reports by December 31.

The government later formed four more commissions—mass media reform commission, health affairs reform commission, labour rights reform commission, and women affairs reform commission.

On September 19, Yunus held the first meeting with the reform commission chiefs.

With a provision to have a student representative in each commission, so far only the constitutional reform commission out of the first six commissions has named its student member.

The rest five commissions have yet to name their student representatives although over a month has already passed out of 90 days allotted to complete their tasks.

Separate gazettes have, so far, announced the names of 7–9 members of each commission, mentioning the student representative’s name for only the constitutional reform commission.​

 

[Saif]

Future governments must commit sustaining reform process: Finance Adviser

Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said the interim government has started reforms that the future elected governments must continue. He said the interim government is making clear the road to reforms, which will be made from a narrow place to a highway. The speed of reforms will

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Future governments must commit sustaining reform process: Finance Adviser
Published :
Nov 05, 2024 23:07
Updated :
Nov 05, 2024 23:07

Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said the interim government has started reforms that the future elected governments must continue.

He said the interim government is making clear the road to reforms, which will be made from a narrow place to a highway. The speed of reforms will increase in the next government.

The adviser said this while speaking as the chief guest at ERF-Nagad best reporting award ceremony, held at hotel in the capital on Tuesday evening, according to UNB.

Dr Salehuddin said the reforms will be sustainable with commitment from the political governments. Otherwise, the benefits of reforms would not reach the common people.

He said the government is doing what works well for the country. Irregularities over years of misrule can't be removed overnight.

He appreciated Bangladesh Banks' Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur for working hard to bring the financial sector on the right track.

With Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) president Refayet Ullah Mirdha in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Masur, Nagad Board Chairman KAS Murshid, its administrator Muhammad Badiuzzaman Dider and ERF General Secretary Abul kashem.

The Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) and Nagad, a leading digital financial service have jointly conferred awards on 19 economic reporters in 17 categories economic journalists.

The award winners are Doulot Akter Mala (The Financial Express), Sadrul Hasan (UNB), Fakhrul Islam Harun (Prothom Alo), Jebun Nesa Alo (The Business Standard), Rajib Ahmed (Prothom Alo), Iqbal Ahsan (Channel 24), Md Ismail Ali (Daily Sharebiz), Ahsan Habib Rasel (The Daily Star), Babu Kamruzzaman (News 24), Obaidullah Rony (Samakal), Tauhid Hossain Papon (Jamuna Television), Md Shofiqul Islam (Dhaka Post), Sajjadur Rahman (The Business Standard), Arifur Rahman (Prothom Alo), Salah Uddin Mahmud (The Business Standard), Ziadul Islam (Amader Shomoy), Mohammad Jahangir Shah Kajol (Prothom Alo), Razu Ahmed (Daily Kalbela), and Sushanta K Sinha (Ekattor Television).​