Reform Commissions of Bangladesh

Reform Commissions of Bangladesh
FounderGovernment of Bangladesh
TypeReform Commission
OriginsBangladesh
Main organ
11 commissions

The Reform Commissions of Bangladesh were formally announced on 11 September 2024 by the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus. Based on the aspirations of the July Uprising of that year, their goal was to establish universal consensus regarding reforms required for the rebuilding of an anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist Bangladesh.[1][2][3][4][5]

Eleven commissions were subsequently appointed, those considering reforms in public administration, anti-corruption, the judiciary, the police, the constitution, the electoral system, local government, women's affairs, labour rights, mass media, and healthcare.[6][7][8][9] Additionally, a six-member task force led by the governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H. Mansur, was appointed to reform the banking sector.[10] Four of the reform commissions submitted their reports to Muhammad Yunus on 15 January 2025.[11][12][13][14]

Background

A graffiti of July Uprising 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 practice of reserving 30% of government jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters. In response, protests demanding reforms to the quota system erupted across the country, led by the group Students Against Discrimination. The government's crackdown on the movement turned violent, resulting in the deaths of 2,000 protesters. This triggered a nationwide non-cooperation movement, which ultimately led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on 5 August 2024, ending its 15 year long reign.

Following this, at the request of student leaders, Muhammad Yunus agreed to lead an interim government, and the reform commissions were formed with the aim of establishing a new framework for governance based on an anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist political system. The head of each commission has the status of a Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.[15]

Four of the reform commissions – Election, Anti-Corruption, Police, and Constitutional – submitted their reports to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on 15 January 2025.[16][17]

Details of Reform Commissions

Public Administration Reform Commission

This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public administration by proposing necessary reforms in administrative structures and governance practices.[18] The commission is led by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, former chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.[19]

Anti-Corruption Reform Commission

This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to eliminate systemic corruption, to reform institutions, and to restore transparency in governance.[20] The commission is led by Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).[21][22]

Judicial Reform Commission

This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to propose necessary judicial reforms aimed at making the judiciary independent, impartial, and effective.[23] The commission is led by Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.[24]

Electoral System Reform Commission

This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to establish a representative and effective democracy in Bangladesh by ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections through the reform of the existing electoral system.[25] The commission is headed by Badiul Alam Majumdar under a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs provides secretarial support to the commission, and the Election Commission Secretariat also assists the commission.[26]

Constitutional Reform Commission

This commission was formed in September 2024 with a brief to prepare a report on the reasons behind past constitutional failures, and to create a roadmap for holding a constituent assembly election that can draft and adopt a new, inclusive, democratic constitution that ensures the inviolability of human dignity.[27][28][29][30]

Women's Affairs Reform Commission

This commission was formed in November 2024 with a brief to prepare a report on the reasoning behind women's equal rights, how to restore women's dignity and respect in society, and how to reduce discrimination against women.[31][32][33]

Heads and members of commissions

The ministry has formed eleven reform commissions to reform perceived important areas of the government. The Head of Commission will have a status of a Justice of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.[34]

The details of the head of commission and members are as follows.[35][36][37][38]

Name Position Career Highlights
Public Administration Reform Commission
Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury Head of Commission Chairman, Biman Bangladesh Airlines

Former Adviser of Latifur Rahman Caretaker Government

Mohammad Tareque Member Former Secretary
Muhammad Ayub Mia Member Former Secretary
Muhammad Mokhlesur Rahman Member-Secretary Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration
Muhammad Hafizur Rahman Member Former Additional Secretary
Rezwan Khayer Member Former Additional Secretary
A. K. A. Firoz Ahmad Member Former Chairman, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka
Syeda Shahina Subhan Member Former Director of Centre for Medical Education
Firoz Ahmed Member Former Director General of Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Khandakar Mohammad Aminur Rahman Member Former Member of National Board of Revenue
Mehedi Hasan Member Student Representative, Jagannath University
Anti Corruption Commission Reform Commission
Iftekharuzzaman Head of Commission Executive Director, Transparency International Bangladesh
Ahmed Ataul Hakim Member Former Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh
Mobasser Monem Member Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka
Mushtaq Khan Member Professor, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London
Mahdin Chowdhury Member Bar-at-Law
Mahbubur Rahman Member Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Farzana Sharmin Member Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Mubashshir Munim Member Student Representative, North South University
Judicial Reform Commission
Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman Head of Commission Former Justice, Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Md. Emdadul Haque Azad Member Retired Justice, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Former District and Sessions Judge

Farid Ahmed Shibli Member Justice, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Former District and Sessions Judge

Sayed Aminul Islam Member Former District and Sessions Judge

Former Registrar, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Masdar Hossain Member Former District and Sessions Judge

Plaintiff in the case of Masdar Hossain v. State

Tanim Hossain Shawon Member Barrister-at-law and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Kazi Mahfuzul Haq Shupon Member Associate Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Arman Hossain Member Student Representative, University of Dhaka
Police Reform Commission
Safar Raj Hossain Head of Commission Former Secretary
Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed Member-Secretary Additional Secretary, Public Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
Muhammad Iqbal Member Former Additional Secretary

Former Director General, Department of Narcotics Control

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

Former Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police

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

Chief of Special Branch, Bangladesh Police

Mohammad Ashfaqul Alam Member Deputy Inspector General of Bangladesh Police

Commandant, Police Training Centre, Tangail

Shanaz Huda Member Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
A. S. M. Nasiruddin Elan Member Human rights activist
Mohammad Jarif Rahman Member Researcher and Student Representative
Electoral System Reform Commission
Badiul Alam Majumdar Head of Commission Editor, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik

Election and Local Government Expert

Tofail Ahmed Member Former Professor and Chairman of Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong

Educator, Local Government and Election Expert

Jesmin Tuli Member Former Additional Secretary, Bangladesh Election Commission

Electoral System, Voter Registration and National Identity Card Expert

Md. Abdul Alam Member Election Expert
Zahed Ur Rahman Member Political Expert and Opinion Maker
Mir Nadia Nivin Member Governance and Institutional Reform Expert
Muhammed Sadek Ferdous Member Electronic Voting and Blockchain Expert
Sadiq Al Arman Member Student Representative, East West University
Constitutional Reform Commission
Ali Riaz Head of Commission Political scientist and Writer
Sumaiya Khair Member Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Imran Siddique Member Bar-at-Law
Muhammad Ekramul Haque Member Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Sharif Bhuiyan Member Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
M Moin Alam Firozi Member Bar-at-Law
Firoz Ahmed Member Writer
Md. Mostain Billah Member Writer and Human rights activist
Mahfuj Alam Member Student Representative (7 October 2024 - 10 November 2024)
Saleh Uddin Sifat Member Student Representative
Labor Reform Commission
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed Head of Commission Executive Director, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies
Mahfuzul Haq Member Former Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Zakir Hossain Member Professor, Institute of Bangladesh Studies, University of Rajshahi
Tapan Dutta Member President, Chattogram Divisional Committee, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre
A. K. M. Nasir Member Advocate and Former President of Bangladesh Labour Court Bar Association
M Kamran T Rahman Member Former President of Bangladesh Employer's Federation
N/A Member Student Representative
Women's Affairs Reform Commission
Shirin Parvin Haque Head of Commission Founding Member, Naripokkho
Maheen Sultan Member Senior Fellow, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development
Sara Hossain Member Honorary Executive Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust
Fawzia Karim Firoze Member Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh and President, Foundation for Law & Development
Kalpona Akter Member President, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation
Halida Hanum Akhter Member Women Health Expert
Sumaiya Islam Member Executive Director, Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra
Nirupa Dewan Member Former Member, National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh
Ferdousi Sultana Member Former Senior Social Development Adviser, Asian Development Bank
Nishita Jaman Niha Member Student Representative
Local Government Reform Commission
Tofail Ahmed Head of Commission Former Professor and Charman of Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong

Educator, Local Government and Election Expert

Ferdous Arfina Osman Member Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka

Former Chairman of Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka

A. M. M. Nasir Uddin Member Former Secretary
Abdur Rahman Member Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Mahfuz Kabir Member Director, BISS
Masuda Khan Shefali Member Executive Director, Nari Uddug Kendra
Md. Tarikul Islam Member Professor, Department of Government and Politics, Jahangirnagar University
N/A Member Student Representative
Mass Media Reform Commission
Kamal Ahmed Head of Commission Journalist
Gitiara Nasreen Member Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka
Samsul Haque Jahid Member Editor, The Financial Express and Representative, Editor's Council
Aktar Hossain Khan Member Secretary, Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh
Member Representative, Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO)
Syed Abdal Ahmed Member Former General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club
Fahim Ahmed Member Chief Executive Officer, Jamuna Television and Trustee, Broadcast Journalist Center
Jimi Amir Member Journalist and Convenor, Media Support Network
Mustafa Sabuj Member Bogra District Representative, The Daily Star
Titu Dutta Gupta Member Deputy Editor, The Business Standard
Abdullah Al Mamun Member Student Representative
Health Sector Reform Commission
AK Azad Khan Head of Commission President, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh
Mohammad Zakir Hossain Member Professor, Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangladesh Medical University
Liaquat Ali Member Chairman, Pothikrit Foundation
Saiba Aktar Member Gynecologist
Naila Zaman Khan Member Professor, Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Dhaka Shishu Hospital
M. M. Reza Member Former Secretary
Mojaherul Haque Member Former Regional Adviser, South East Asia Region, World Health Organization
Ajharul Islam Member ICDDR,B
Syed Md Akram Hussain Member Senior Consultant Clinical Oncology & Radiotherapy, Square Cancer Centre, Square Hospital
Syed Atikul Haque Member Chief Consultant, Green Life Center for Rheumatic Care and Research
Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman Member Scientist, Department of Child and Maternal Health, ICDDR,B
Umayer Afif Member Student Representative

National Consensus Commission

The ministry also formed a National Consensus Commission to decide on the process for implementing reforms suggested by the commissions with various political parties and stakeholders. Its members are as follows.[39][40][41][42]

Name Position in Government Position in Commission
Muhammad Yunus Chief Adviser Chairperson
Ali Riaz Head of Commission, Constitutional Reform Commission Vice Chairperson
Muhammad Ayub Mia Member, Public Administration Reform Commission Member
Safar Raj Hossain Head of Commission, Police Reform Commission Member
Badiul Alam Majumdar Head of Commission, Electoral System Reform Commission Member
Md. Emdadul Haque Azad Member, Judicial Reform Commission Member
Iftekharuzzaman Head of Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission Member

References

  1. ↑ সংস্কার প্রতিবেদন থেকে হবে নতুন বাংলাদেশের চার্টার, তার ভিত্তিতেই ভবিষ্যতে নির্বাচন: ড. মুহাম্মদ ইউনূস [The new Bangladesh charter will be derived from reform reports, to guide future elections: Dr. Muhammad Yunus]. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  2. ↑ রাষ্ট্র সংস্কারে ৬ কমিশন গঠন, নেতৃত্বে যারা [Six reform commissions formed, leaders announced]. Jugantor (in Bengali). September 11, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  3. ↑ সংবিধান, নির্বাচন ব্যবস্থা, বিচার বিভাগ, প্রশাসন, পুলিশ ও দুদক সংস্কারে কমিশন গঠনের ঘোষণা [Commissions announced for reforming constitution, electoral system, judiciary, administration, police, and anti-corruption commission]. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  4. ↑ "Bangladesh charter to emerge from reform reports: Chief Advisor" সংস্কার প্রতিবেদন থেকে তৈরি হবে নতুন বাংলাদেশের চার্টার: প্রধান উপদেষ্টা. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  5. ↑ ছয় কমিশনের রাষ্ট্র সংস্কার শুরুর অপেক্ষা [Six commissions for state reform await commencement] (in Bengali). Deutsche Welle. 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  6. ↑ সংস্কার কমিশনগুলোর কাজ এগোল কতদূর? [How far have the reform commissions progressed?]. bdnews24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  7. ↑ ৫ সংস্কার কমিশন গঠন করে প্রজ্ঞাপন [Notification issued for the formation of five reform commissions]. The Daily Star (in Bengali). October 4, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  8. ↑ রাষ্ট্র সংস্কারে আরো ৪ কমিশন গঠন, নেতৃত্বে যারা [Four more commissions formed for state reform, leaders announced]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). October 17, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  9. ↑ প্রজ্ঞাপনের অপেক্ষায় ৬ সংস্কার কমিশন [Six reform commissions awaiting notification]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). October 1, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  10. ↑ ব্যাংকিং খাত সংস্কারের লক্ষ্যে ৬ সদস্যের টাস্কফোর্স গঠন [Six-member task force formed to reform the banking sector]. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  11. ↑ সংস্কারের ৬ প্রতিবেদন নিয়ে দলগুলোর সঙ্গে ফেব্রুয়ারিতে সংলাপ [Dialogue with political parties in February based on six reform reports]. Ajker Patrika (in Bengali). January 9, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  12. ↑ প্রধান উপদেষ্টার কাছে প্রতিবেদন জমা দিলো চার সংস্কার কমিশন [Four reform commissions submit reports to the Chief Advisor]. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  13. ↑ মেয়াদ বাড়লো ৬ কমিশনের, ফেব্রুয়ারির শুরুতে রাজনৈতিক দলের সঙ্গে আলোচনা [Six commissions' tenure extended; dialogue with political parties in early February]. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  14. ↑ ধর্মনিরপেক্ষতাসহ রাষ্ট্র পরিচালনার ৩ মূলনীতি বাদ, গণতন্ত্র বহাল রেখে নতুন ৪ মূলনীতির সুপারিশ [Recommendation to replace secularism with four new guiding principles while retaining democracy]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). January 15, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  15. ↑ "রাষ্ট্রের বিভিন্ন খাতে সংস্কারের লক্ষ্যে ৬ (ছয়)টি কমিশনের কমিশন প্রধান ও সদস্যগণের মর্যাদা, বেতন-ভাতা-সম্মানি নির্ধারণ সংক্রান্ত প্রজ্ঞাপন" (PDF). Cabinet Division, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (PDF) (in Bengali). 9 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Four reform commission chiefs submit reports to Yunus". The Daily Star. 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  17. ↑ "4 reform commissions submit reports to CA". The Business Standard. 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  18. ↑ জনপ্রশাসন সংস্কার কমিশনে যুক্ত হয়েছেন আরও ৩ সদস্য [Three more members added to Public Administration Reform Commission]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). BSS. 2024-10-25. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  19. ↑ "Public Administration Reform Commission notification". cabinet.gov.bd. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  20. ↑ "Cabinet Division". cabinet.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 2024-10-06. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  21. ↑ ক্ষমতার অপব্যবহার কমিয়ে দুদক শক্তিশালী করতে ৪৭ সুপারিশ [47 recommendations to strengthen ACC and reduce abuse of power]. Bangladesh Journal Online (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  22. ↑ সংস্কারের জন্য ছয়টি কমিশন, ছয় জনকে দায়িত্ব দেয়ার কথা জানালেন প্রধান উপদেষ্টা [Chief Adviser announces six commissions for reform, six assigned responsibilities]. BBC News (in Bengali). 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  23. ↑ "JRC". Cabinet Division, Government of Bangladesh. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  24. ↑ "Judiciary Reform Commission". Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  25. ↑ "EC". EC. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  26. ↑ ৫ সংস্কার কমিশন গঠন করে প্রজ্ঞাপন জারি, সদস্য হিসেবে এলেন যাঁরা [Gazette issued forming 5 reform commissions, here are the members]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  27. ↑ "Constitutional Reform Commission". crc.legislativediv.gov.bd. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  28. ↑ চার সংস্কার কমিশনের প্রতিবেদন বুধবার, একটির সময় বাড়ল [Reports of four reform commissions on Wednesday, one gets an extension]. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  29. ↑ "Ali Riaz to lead commission on constitutional reforms". The Daily Star. 2024-09-19. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  30. ↑ সংবিধান সংস্কার: কীভাবে গঠিত হবে উচ্চ ও নিম্নকক্ষ, মেয়াদ হবে ৪ বছর [Constitutional reform: How upper and lower houses will be formed, term to be four years]. The Business Standard (in Bengali). 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  31. ↑ সংস্কার কমিশনগুলোর কাজ এগোল কতদূর?. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  32. ↑ প্রজ্ঞাপনের অপেক্ষায় ৬ সংস্কার কমিশন. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  33. ↑ সংস্কারের ৬ প্রতিবেদন নিয়ে দলগুলোর সঙ্গে ফেব্রুয়ারিতে সংলাপ. Ajker Patrika (in Bengali). 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  34. ↑ রাষ্ট্রের বিভিন্ন খাতে সংস্কারের লক্ষ্যে ৬ (ছয়)টি কমিশনের কমিশন প্রধান ও সদস্যগণের মর্যাদা, বেতন-ভাতা-সম্মানি নির্ধারণ সংক্রান্ত প্রজ্ঞাপন (PDF). Cabinet Division, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (PDF) (in Bengali). 9 October 2024.
  35. ↑ "Govt finalises 5 of 6 reform commissions". The Daily Star. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  36. ↑ "Govt constitutes five reform commissions". Dhaka Tribune. 4 October 2024.
  37. ↑ "6 reform commissions gazette awaiting notification". Prothom Alo. 2024-10-02.
  38. ↑ "Who are the heads of the six reform commissions?". The Business Standard. 2024-09-11.
  39. ↑ "জাতীয় ঐকমত্য কমিশন" গঠন (PDF). Cabinet Division, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (in Bengali). 2025-02-12.
  40. ↑ "BNP to attend first meeting of National Consensus Commission". The Daily Star. 2025-02-14.
  41. ↑ "Consensus commission holds first meeting with parties today". Prothom Alo. 2025-02-15.
  42. ↑ "National consensus panel formed". The Daily Star. 2025-02-14.
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