Published: 12 January 2026
In the course of the anti-discrimination movement, the fall of the authoritarian government occurred at the cost of unprecedented bloodshed and sacrifice, leading to the formation of an interim government (IG) on 8 August 2024. The principal aspiration of the students and general people involved in the anti-discrimination movement was that the IG would create an enabling foundation of a state structure capable of building a transparent, accountability-governed, corruption-free, and discrimination-free “New Bangladesh.”
The government has started making changes in different areas, based on reports from reform commissions, the July Charter, and its ideas, to create responsible government, good governance, democracy, and social justice and to stop authoritarian and fascist rule from happening again. The government has already enacted more than a hundred ordinances as part of these processes.
As part of its supportive role in the state reform process, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has consistently put forward various reform proposals, reviewed some draft laws (ordinances), and made specific recommendations, many of which have been reflected in different government decisions and initiatives. TIB recognizes that the current reform process started during a significant time when people were calling for more transparency, accountability, and an end to authoritarian practices. The interim government has since undertaken a wide range of legal and institutional initiatives, including the enactment of more than a hundred ordinances aimed at advancing governance reforms.
However, TIB’s analysis finds that, despite some positive steps, many strategically important recommendations, particularly those that require transparency, accountability, and public oversight, have not been adequately reflected in key laws.
Mixed Progress Across Key Institutions
TIB notes that certain reform initiatives contain encouraging provisions. For example, improvements in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) ordinance, such as expanded jurisdiction, fixed investigation timelines, and enhanced financial autonomy, signal intent to strengthen institutional capacity.
Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission ordinance includes expanded jurisdiction and provisions aligned with international standards, while reforms in public audit introduce broader performance auditing mandates.
Nonetheless, provisions that risk undermining institutional independence often offset these gains. In some cases, executive or bureaucratic structures still have the power to make decisions, which raises concerns about political influence and conflicts of interest.
Concerns Over Independence and Accountability
TIB highlights that ordinances related to key institutions that include the Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Commission, and National Human Rights Commission contain provisions that may weaken transparency in appointments and limit effective oversight.
Particularly concerning is the Police Commission ordinance, which, according to TIB, falls short of ensuring an independent and impartial body. The proposed structure risks reinforcing administrative dominance rather than establishing a professional, accountable, and citizen-oriented policing system.
In the digital governance space, TIB observes that the cyber security, personal data protection, and national data management ordinances, while timely, include broad and ambiguous provisions. These provisions may facilitate abuse, leading to unfair restrictions on free speech and an increased likelihood of surveillance without adequate safeguards.
Lack of Inclusive and Transparent Process
A key concern raised by TIB relates to the ordinance-making process itself. The organization notes that, with limited exceptions, many ordinances were adopted without meaningful stakeholder engagement or transparent consultation. In some instances, draft laws were shared only briefly or revised without incorporating agreed recommendations.
This approach, TIB cautions, risks undermining public trust and the broader legitimacy of the reform process.
Call for a Coherent Reform Strategy
TIB stresses that the lack of a clear, all-encompassing plan for putting the reform commission's suggestions into action is still a major problem. The selection of reform priorities appears, often, ad hoc, with limited evidence of systematic planning or risk assessment. TIB also highlights that several crucial sectors fall outside the purview of reform initiatives, and the progress on numerous "immediately implementable" recommendations has been minimal.
Way Forward
TIB underscores the need for the interim government to realign the reform process with its stated objectives by: Ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in lawmaking
- Ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in lawmaking
- Reflecting key reform recommendations in full
- Safeguarding institutional independence
- Establishing clear implementation roadmaps
The July uprising altered the individuals in power in Bangladesh, yet it has not transformed the manner in which that power is wielded. The review by TIB clearly indicates that the state's institutions continue to cater to a limited elite. The bureaucracy has outmaneuvered a government that did not grasp the essence of the conflict it faced, maintaining outdated systems of unaccountable power.
Bangladesh currently finds itself at a pivotal stage, contemplating the possibility of reversing this setback. The significant expense of the reform window, initiated by the sacrifices of the youth, continues to weigh heavily on the national conscience. The current task is to bring the reform agenda back into the light of action before the hope of the uprising diminishes into old patterns.
TIB acknowledges notable progress in certain areas but cautions that existing gaps may weaken the long-term impact of reforms if not addressed. TIB also points out that the reform process will only be successful if it can enforce accountability, protect the public interest, and build trust through open and inclusive government.
