Reform Commissions of Bangladesh

Last updated
Reform Commissions of Bangladesh
Founder Government of Bangladesh
TypeReform Commission
Purpose
  • Establishing inclusive and democratic governance
  • Abolishing fascist regimes
  • Ensuring the rule of law
  • Strengthening and activating all state institutions
Origins Bangladesh
Ali Riaz
Chief of the Judiciary Reform Commission
Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman
Chief of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission
Iftekharuzzaman
Chief of the Electoral Reform Commission
Badiul Alam Majumdar
Main organ
11 commissions

Based on the aspirations of the July Revolution and to establish universal consensus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, formally announced on September 11, 2024, the formation of several reform commissions aimed at rebuilding the state of Bangladesh. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Subsequently, a total of 11 commissions were formed, including those for reforms in the Constitution, Electoral System, Police Administration, Judicial System, Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Administration, Local Government, Health Affairs, Women's Affairs, Labour Rights and Mass Media. [6] [7] [8] [9] Among them, four commissions submitted their reports to Yunus on January 15, 2025. [10] [11] [12] [13] Additionally, a six-member task force, led by Ahsan H. Mansur, governor of Bangladesh Bank, was formed to reform the banking sector. [14]

Contents

Background

A graffiti of July revolution at Baily Road, Dhaka , reading, " rkt ny' baarbaar, caai ebaar sNskaar " (lit. 'No more bloodshed, just reform this time.) Graffiti ' Rakta noy barbar, Chai eber sanshker' of July revolution, Dhaka.jpg
A graffiti of July revolution at Baily Road, Dhaka , reading, " রক্ত নয় বারবার, চাই এবার সংস্কার " (lit. 'No more bloodshed, just reform this time.)

In June 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh invalidated a 2018 government circular that had abolished the freedom fighter quota. In response, fresh protests erupted across the country, led by the group Students Against Discrimination, demanding reforms to the quota system. The government's crackdown on the movement turned violent, resulting in the deaths of 2,000 protesters.[ citation needed ] This brutal response triggered a nationwide non-cooperation movement, which ultimately led to the fall of the Hasina-led government. Following the situation, at the request of student leaders, Muhammad Yunus agreed to lead an interim government. With the success of the movement to overthrow the government, reform commissions were formed with the aim of establishing a new framework for governance based on an anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist political system.

Commission list

Electoral System Reform Commission

To establish a representative and effective democracy in Bangladesh by ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections through the reform of the existing electoral system, the interim government formed the Electoral System Reform Commission to prepare a report with necessary recommendations for electoral reform. [15] On October 3, 2024, the commission was constituted with eight members, headed by Badiul Alam Majumdar, through a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs is providing secretarial support to the commission, while the Election Commission Secretariat is assisting the commission for operational convenience. [16]

The list of members is given below:

Electoral System Reform Commission
NamePositionCareer Highlights
Badiul Alam Majumdar Head of CommissionEditor, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik

Election and Local Government Expert

Tofail Ahmed MemberFormer Professor and Charman of Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong

Educator, Local Government and Election Expert

Jesmin TuliMemberFormer Additional Secretary, Bangladesh Election Commission

Electoral System, Voter Registration and National Identity Card Expert

Md. Abdul AlamMemberElection Expert
Zahed Ur RahmanMemberPolitical Expert and Opinion Maker
Mir Nadia NivinMemberGovernance and Institutional Reform Expert
Muhammed Sadek FerdousMemberElectronic Voting and Blockchain Expert
Sadiq Al ArmanMemberStudent Representative, East West University

Commission for Judicial Reform

On October 3, 2024, the interim government of Bangladesh formed the "Judicial Reform Commission" through a notification to propose necessary reforms aimed at making the judiciary independent, impartial, and effective. [17] The commission, led by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, comprises eight members and is working towards preparing proposals for judicial reforms. [18]

The list of the members given below:

Commission for Judicial Reform
NamePositionCareer Highlights
Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman Head of CommissionFormer Justice, Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Md. Emdadul Haque Azad MemberRetired Justice, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Former District and Sessions Judge

Farid Ahmed Shibli MemberJustice, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Former District and Sessions Judge

Sayed Aminul Islam MemberFormer District and Sessions Judge

Former Registrar, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Masdar Hossain MemberFormer District and Sessions Judge

Plaintiff in the case of Masdar Hossain v. State

Tanim Hossain Shawon MemberBarrister-at-law and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Kazi Mahfuzul Haq Shupon MemberAssociate Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Arman HossainMemberStudent Representative, University of Dhaka

Anti-Corruption Reform Commission

On October 3, 2024, the interim government of Bangladesh formed the "Anti-Corruption Reform Commission" through a notification to eliminate systemic corruption, reform institutions, and restore transparency in governance. [19] The commission, led by Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), comprises eight members and is working towards preparing proposals for anti-corruption reforms. [20] [21]

The list of the members given below:

Anti Corruption Reform Commission
Iftekharuzzaman Head of CommissionExecutive Director, Transparency International Bangladesh
Ahmed Ataul Hakim MemberFormer Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh
Mobasser Monem MemberProfessor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka
Mushtaq Khan MemberProfessor, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London
Mahdin Chowdhury MemberBar-at-Law
Mahbubur Rahman MemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Farzana Sharmin Member Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Mubashshir MunimMemberStudent Representative, North South University

Constitutional Reform Commission

[22] [23] [24] [25]

NamePositionCareer highlights
Ali Riaz Head of the commissionPolitical scientist and writer
Sumaiya Khair MemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Imran Siddiq Barrister and advocate at the Supreme Court
Muhammad Ekramul Haque Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Sharif Bhuiyan Advocate at the Supreme Court
M Moyeen Alam Firozee Barrister and advocate at the Supreme Court
Firoz Ahmed Writer
Mostain BillahWriter and human rights activist
Mahfuz Alam Liaison committee coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement and special assistant to the Chief Adviser

Police Reform Commission

[26]

Police Reform Commission
NamePositionCareer Highlights
Safar Raj Hossain Head of CommissionFormer Secretary
Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed Member-Secretary Additional Secretary, Public Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
Muhammad Iqbal MemberFormer Additional Secretary

Former Director General, Department of Narcotics Control

Muhammad Harun Chowdhury MemberFormer Divisional Commissioner and Additional Secretary
Sheikh Md. Sajjad Ali MemberPolice Commissioner, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Bangladesh Police

Former Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police

Md. Rafiqul HasanMemberJoint Secretary (Drafting), Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
Md. Golam Rosul MemberDeputy Inspector General of Bangladesh Police

Chief of Special Branch, Bangladesh Police

Mohammad Ashfaqul AlamMemberDeputy Inspector General of Bangladesh Police

Commandant, Police Training Centre, Tangail

Shanaz Huda MemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
A. S. M. Nasiruddin Elan Member Human rights activist
Mohammad Jarif RahmanMemberResearcher and Student Representative

Public Administration Reform Commission

The Public Administration Reform Commission was formed on October 3, 2024, through a notification to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service by proposing necessary reforms in administrative structures and governance practices. [27] This commission, was led by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, former chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, comprises nine members and is working towards preparing proposals for public administration reforms. [28]

Public Administration Reform Commission
NamePositionCareer Highlights
Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury Head of CommissionChairman, Biman Bangladesh Airlines

Former Adviser of Latifur Rahman Caretaker Government

Muhammad TarekMemberFormer Secretary
Muhammad Aiyub MiaMemberFormer Secretary
Muhammad Mokhlesur Rahman Member-Secretary Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration
Muhammad Hafizur RahmanMemberFormer Additional Secretary
Rezwan KhayerMemberFormer Additional Secretary
A. K. A. Firowz AhmadMemberFormer Chairman, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka
Syeda Shahina SubhanMemberFormer Director of Centre for Medical Education
Firoz AhmedMemberFormer Director General of Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Khandakar Mohammad Aminur RahmanMemberFormer Member of National Board of Revenue
Mehedi HasanMemberStudent Representative

Women's Affairs Reform Commission

Women's Affairs Reform Commission
NamePositionBackground
Shireen Huq Head of the commissionFounder of Naripaksha
Maheen Sultan MemberSenior fellow Brac University
Sara Hossain Executive Director, Legal aid Bangladesh
Fauzia Karim Firoz Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court
Kalpona Akter President of Bangladesh Garment worker association
Halida Hanum Akhter Doctor
Sumaiya IslamExecutive Director of Bangladesh Women's Workers Center
Nirupa DawanFormer member of National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh
Ferdausi SultanaFormer Adviser of Society Development of Asian Development Bank
Nishita Zaman NihaStudent Representative

Commission report

On 15 January 2025, four reform commissions, including Election, Anti-Corruption, Police, and Constitutional, submitted their reports to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. [29] [30]

References

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