Bangladesh Political Landscape: A Year After Hasina (1)

The 'July Revolution' of 2024 was a landmark event in the contemporary history of Bangladesh after the end of Sheikh Hasina's long authoritarian rule. Bangladesh entered a new chapter with the emergence of an interim government led by Dr. Yunus based on Articles 7 and 11 of the Constitution with reference to the 'full power of the people'. In the past year, this government has taken several steps to achieve reforms in various sectors, establish justice, achieve financial transparency and strategic independence. A year ago, in the post-August 5 revolution situation, constitutional continuity collapsed in Bangladesh. Public administration, the judiciary and the Election Commission were almost paralyzed.

Political Reforms and Interim Governance Structure

The interim government formed under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus essentially established a ‘public participatory administrative structure’. The ‘National Transformation Commission’, consisting of representatives of all parties, civil society, student movement representatives, judges and intellectuals, played the most effective role at this time. Judicial processes began against corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and members of the law enforcement agencies of the former government. Trials of crimes against humanity, money laundering and political assassination cases have begun under the ‘tribunal’ - where the July 35 massacre and the disappearances and murders by the RAB-police were among the most prominent.

New Constitution Drafting Commission

The most important political step in this one year was the formation of the ‘New Constitution Drafting Commission’. Based on the reports of the six main reform commissions, the Consensus Commission met with political parties and other stakeholders and handed over the final drafts of the July Declaration and the July Charter to the political parties. In the first phase, the political parties have agreed on 62 out of 166 reform proposals in the draft of the National Consensus Commission. On the night of July 30, the commission sent this draft to the parties, which will be ratified as the July Charter.

Its main proposals include constitutional amendments, legislative and local government structures, expansion of fundamental rights, election and judicial systems, anti-corruption measures, etc. In the second phase, other issues for consensus include the formation of a bicameral parliament, qualifications of members, determination of mother tongue and citizen identity, local government autonomy, National Coordination Council, PR system in the upper house, presidential election process, decentralization of the judiciary, powers of the president, etc. Among the main decisions agreed on are the formation of an independent police commission: formation of a separate police oversight body to ensure professionalism and accountability, etc.

 PM Term Limit: 10 Years Maximum

All political parties have agreed on limiting the term of the prime minister to a maximum of 10 years. Determining the basic principles of state governance: There has been a proposal to add 'equality', 'human dignity', 'social justice', 'democracy' and 'religious freedom and harmony'; there has been an overall consensus on about eight issues, but BNP has submitted a written note against the proposals on these eight issues.

Economic Reforms

The old board of Bangladesh Bank was dismissed on charges of unprecedented looting and corruption in the banking sector. The digital infrastructure of the financial sector is being reconstructed under the leadership of the Financial Reforms Commission. Similarly, several organizations and departments, including BERC, Petrobangla, PID, and the Ministry of Education, have undergone extensive post-investigation reorganization.

Going beyond the debt-dependent policies of the IMF and the World Bank, the government increased its activity in alternative economic alliances (BRICS Plus, BIMSTEC Economic Forum). A new dialogue began with China's 'Belt and Road' initiative under new conditions. Several top officials were dismissed and charged after exposing the malfeasance of ICT and transaction-based syndicates within Bangladesh Bank.

 A new digital security framework was developed to ensure the influence-free use of the RTGS and SWIFT systems. The post-revolutionary government formulated labor-friendly policies and took various initiatives to resolve the crisis in export-oriented industries.

National Revenue Structure Reform

Reinvestment began in agriculture and cottage industries. One of the major achievements is the 'National Revenue Structure Reform', where unnecessary VAT and additional pressure on the middle class have been reduced and a new 'origin-based tax' has been introduced on multinational and corporate groups. The process of forming an autonomous 'Revenue Department' by restructuring the NBR has begun. Steps have been taken to waive land tax, waive interest on agricultural loans, and create a market structure focused on rural production. The government's procurement price policy has been reformed for self-sufficiency in food.

Justice and Human Rights

The demand for justice for the 1,500 people killed in the 2024 mass protests by the army and police has been strongly raised. A genocide tribunal has been formed to investigate 17 separate murders. Charges have been framed against the former Prime Minister, Home Minister, IGP, DG of RAB and several military officers. The tribunal is working through public testimony, video evidence and international observers. Nearly 8,000 political prisoners have been released in the year since the interim government took office, who were detained under various laws including the Digital Security Act.

Truth-Finding Commission

A ‘Truth-Finding Commission’ has been formed, which is preparing documentary evidence of political persecution, disappearances and imprisonment during the period 2009-24. An independent judicial commission was formed by separating the judiciary from the executive branch. The ‘public inquiry process’ was launched to release political prisoners, investigate disappearances and prevent police torture. However, many cases of harassment still remain. The first testimony against crimes against humanity began in March 2025. Within a year, charges have been filed directly in court against Sheikh Hasina in at least three cases, which is a major step towards an accountable judiciary.

Changes in the field of education and culture

The government has paid special attention to educational institutions after the student-led movement led to the fall of the authoritarian government. With special initiatives, urgent projects for the construction of hostels were started in Dhaka and Jagannath University and other public universities in Dhaka. The recent literary festivals, language days and free speech festivals also clearly show the renaissance of freedom of speech.

The University Grants Commission and the National University have been formed to end admission-based corruption in education. Several institutional reforms have been taken by removing the promotion of communal and market-oriented ideas from the curriculum. The Digital Security Act has been repealed and the ‘Free Information Act’ has been passed.

The state media has been given autonomy. An independent broadcasting commission has been formed to monitor private television and online media. Instead of government control over technology platforms including Facebook and YouTube, a 'social media court' has been launched on an experimental basis to establish democratic accountability.